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MANUAL  FOE  SPOISORS 


REV.  ALBERT  D.^RAVER,  A.  M., 

'RECTOR   OF  ST.    PACTL's   CHUECH,    POUGUKEKPSIK. 


T^eto  York: 
GEN.  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  UNION, 

DANIEL  DANA,  JE.,  AGENT, 

DEPOSITORY  No.  20  JOHN  STREET. 
1853. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1853,  by 

JOHX  W.  MITCHELL, 

(ft8  Treasurer  of  the  General  Protestant  Episcopal  Sunday  School  Union,) 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Soutiem  District  of 

New  York. 


m 


Ifimtors  nf  tlit  lAntrotnnt  (gpisrnpiil  Cjitirrlj; 


THE  UXITED  STATES  OF  AJDERICA, 


THE  PEESEXT  MANTTAL 


(without  FrETHEE  PEEFACE)   DEDICATED, 


THE  AUTHOE. 


Direct  us,  0  Loed,  in  all  ottr  doings,  with  Thy  most  gracious  favour, 
and  further  us  with  Thy  continual  help ;  that,  in  all  our  works  begun, 
continued  and  ended  in  Thee,  we  may  glorify  Thy  Holy  Name ;  and 
finally,  by  Thy  mercy,  obtain  everlasting  life,  through  Jesus  Cheist 
our  Lord.    Amen. 

Eegard,  0  Lord,  the  supplications  of  Thy  servants,  and  grant  that 
whosoever  shall  be  dedicated  to  Thee  ***  by  Baptism,  maj^  be  sanctified 
by  the  Holt  Ghost,  delivered  from  wrath  and  eternal  death,  and  re- 
ceived as  a  living  member  of  Christ's  Church,  and  may  ever  remain  in 
the  number  of  Thy  faithful  children. 

Grant,  0  Lord,  that  they  who  ***  shall  in  their  own  persons  renew 
the  promises  and  vows  which  they  made,  or  which  were  made  for  them 
by  their  Sureties  at  their  Baptism,  and  thereupon  shall  be  confirmed  by 
the  Bishop,  may  receive  such  a  measure  of  Thy  Holt  Spirit  that  they 
may  be  enabled  faithfully  to  fulfil  the  same,  and  grow  in  grace  imto 
their  lives'  end. 


m'^ 


<. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

THE  iaNISTRATION  OF  PUBLIC  BAPTISM  OF  INFANTS,  .  .      T 

THE  MIXISTRATION  OF  PRIVATE  BAPTISM  OF  CHILDREN,               .  14 
THE   mXISTRATION   OF   BAPTISM   TO   SUCH  AS   ARE   OF    RIPER 

TEARS, 19 

CATECHISM,                 27 

THE  ORDER  OF  CONFIRMATION,       ...                       .           .  33 

INTRODUCTION,                        3*7 

JEWISH  BAPTISM, 41 

JOHNS  BAPTISM, 47 

CHRISTIAN  BAPTISM, 49 

ITS  NECESSITY, 66 

INFANT  BAPTISM,  LAWFUL, 51 

INFANT  BAPTISM,  NECESSARY, 55 

BAPTISMAL  OFFICE,  REMARKS  UPON, 56 

CONCLUDING  REMARKS,  IN  CONNECTION  "WITH  THEM,   .           .  61 

NECESSITY  OF  CHRISTIAN  INSTRUCTION,             ....  66 

1* 


6  CONTENTS. 

PASS 

SrONSORIAL  OFFICE,  ITS  HISTORY, 68 

SPONSORIAL  DUTIES  TOWARDS  INFANTS,            .            .            .            .  76 

DUTIES  OF  GODFATHERS  AND  MOTHERS  TCWARDS  ADULTS,    .  94 

QUALIFICATIONS  OF  SPONSORS, 96 

QUALIFICATIONS  OF  ■WITNESSES, 100 

MOTIVES  TO  UNDERTAKING  SPONSORIAL  DUTIES,      ,  .  .111 

OBJECTIONS  TO  BECOMING  SPONSORS,  ANS"WERED,          .            .  114 

CONCLUSION, 128 

COLLECTS, 133 


THE  MINISTEATION        .^     X 


c 


Imfattt^ 


TO    BE    USED    IN    THE    CHTJBCH. 


\  The  people  are  to  be  admonished,  that  it  is  most  convenient  that  Bap- 
tism should  not  be  administered  but  upon  Sundaysand  other  Holy 
days,  or  Prayer  days.  Nevertheless  (if  necessity  so  require)  Baptism 
may  be  administered  upon  any  other  day. 

1"  There  shall  be  for  every  Male  child  to  be  baptized,  when  they  can  be 
had,  two  Godfathers  and  one  Godmother;  and  for  every  Female,  one 
Godfather  and  two  Godmothers;  and  Parents  shall  be  admitted  as 
Sponsors,  if  it  be  desired. 

T  "When  there  are  children  to  be  baptized,  the  parents  or  sponsors  shall 
give  knowledge  thereof,  before  the  beginning  of  Morning  Prayer,  to  the 
Ministei-.  And  then  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  and  the  people 
with  the  children,  must  be  ready  at  the  Pont,  either  immediately  after 
the  last  Lesson  at  Morning  Prayer,  or  else  immediately  after  the  last 
Lesson  at  Evening  Prayer,  as  the  Minister,  by  his  discretion,  shall 
appoint.  And  the  Minister  coming  to  the  Font  (which  is  then  to  be 
filled  with  pure  water)  and  standing  there,  shall  say, 

Hath  this  child  been  already  baptized,  or  no  ? 
T  If  they  answer,  No ;  then  shall  the  Minister  proceed,  as  followeth. 
Dearly  beloved,  forasmuch  as  all  men  are  conceived  and 
born  in  sin ;  and  our  Saviour  Christ  saith,  None  can  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  God,  except  he  be  regenerate  and  born  anew 
of  water  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  I  beseech  you  to  call  upon 
God  the  Father,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  of  his 
bounteous  mercy,  he  will  grant  to  this  child  that  which  by 
nature  he  cannot  have  ;  that  he  may  be  baptized  with  water  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  received  into  Christ's  holy  Chui'ch,  and 
be  made  a  living  member  of  the  same. 

T  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 
Let  us  pray. 
Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  who  of  thy  great  mercy,  didst 
save  Noah  and  his  family  in  the  ark  from  perishing  by  water ; 


8  PUBLIC    BAPTISM    OF    INFANTS. 

and  also  didst  safely  lead  the  children  of  Israel  thy  people 
through  the  Red  Sea,  figuring  thereby  thy  holy  Baptism ;  and 
by  the  baptism  of  thy  well-beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ  in  the 
river  Jordan,  didst  sanctify  water,  to  the  mystical  washing 
away  of  sin ;  we  beseech  thee,  for  thine  infinite  mercies,  that 
thou  wilt  mercifully  look  upon  this  child ;  wash  him,  and  sanc- 
tify him  with  the  Holy  Gthost  ;  that  he,  being  delivered  from 
thy  wrath,  may  be  received  into  the  ark  of  Christ's  Church ; 
and  being  steadfast  in  faith,  joyful  through  hope,  and  rooted  in 
charity,  may  so  pass  the  waves  of  this  troublesome  world,  that 
finally  he  may  come  to  the  land  of  everlasting  life  ;  there  to 
reign  with  thee,  world  without  end,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.    Amen. 

T  Or  this. 
AL^nGHTY  and  immortal  God,  the  aid  of  all  who  need,  the 
helper  of  all  who  flee  to  thee  for  succom-,  the  life  of  those  who 
believe,  and  the  resurrection  of  the  dead ;  we  call  upon  thee  for 
thin  infant,  that  he,  coming  to  thy  holy  baptism,  may  receive 
remission  of  sin,  by  spiritual  regene)-ation.  Receive  him,  O 
Lord,  as  thou  hatt  promised  by  thy  well-beloved  Son,  saying, 
Ask,  and  ye  shall  have  ;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find  ;  knock,  and  it 
shall  be  opened  unto  you :  So  give  now  unto  us  who  ask ;  let 
us  who  seek,  find ;  open  the  gate  unto  us  who  knock ;  that  this 
infant  may  enjoy  the  everlasting  benedictiou  of  thy  heavenly 
washing,  and  may  come  to  the  eternal  kingdom  which  thou  hast 
promised  by  Christ  om*  Lord.     Amen.^ 

^Tben  the  Minister  shall  say  as  follows:  or  else  shall  pass  on  to  the 
questions  addressed  to  tlie  Sponsors ;  and  from  thence  to  the  Prayer 
immediately  before  the  immersion,  or  the  pouring  of  water  on  "the 
infant.  But  note ;  that,  in  every  church,  the  intermediate  parts  of  the 
Service  shall  be  used,  once  at  least  in  every  month  (if  there  be  a  bap- 
tism) for  the  better  instructing  of  the  people  in  the  grounds  of  Infant 
Baptism. 

Hear  the  words  of  the  Gospel,  written  by  St.  Mark,  in  the 

tenth  chapter,  at  the  thirteenth  verse. 

They  brought  young  children  to  Christ  that  he  should  touch 


PUBLIC    BAPTISM    OF    INFANTS.  9 

them ;  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those  who  brought  them.  But 
when  Jesus  saw  it,  he  was  much  displeased,  and  said  unto  them, 
Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  for 
of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Whoso- 
ever shall  not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  he 
shall  not  enter  therein.  And  he  took  them  uj>  in  his  arms,  put  his 
hands  upon  them,  and  blessed  them. 

^  After  the  Gospel  is  read,  the  Minister  shall  make  this  brief  Exhorta- 
tion upon  the  words  of  the  Gospel : 

Beloved,  ye  hear  in  this  Gospel  the  words  of  our  Saviom* 
Christ,  that  he  commanded  the  children  to  be  brought  unto  him ; 
how  he  blamed  those  who  would  have  kept  them  from  him  ;  how 
he  exhorteth  all  men  to  follow  their  innocency.  Ye  perceive 
how,  by  his  outward  gesture  and  deed,  he  declared  his  good  will 
toward  them :  for  he  embraced  them  in  his  arms,  he  laid  his 
hands  upon  them,  and  blessed  them.  Doubt  ye  not  therefore, 
but  earnestly  behave,  that  he  wiU  likewise  favourably  receive  this 
present  infant ;  that  he  will  embrace  him  with  the  arms  of  his 
mercy ;  and  that  he  will  give  unto  him  the  blessings  of  eternal 
life,  and  make  him 2')artaker  of  his  everlasting  kingdom.  Where- 
fore, we  being  thus  persuaded  of  the  good  will  of  om-  heavenly 
Father  toward  this  infant^  declared  by  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  ; 
and  nothing  doubting,  but  that  he  favourably  alloweth  this  chari- 
table work  of  ours,  in  bringing  this  infant  to  this  holy  baptism ; 
let  us  faithfully  and  devoutly  give  thanks  unto  him,  and  say, 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  heavenly  Father,  we  give  thee 
humble  thanks,  that  thou  hast  vouchsafed  to  call  us  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  thy  grace,  and  faith  in  thee :  increase  this  knowledge,  and 
confirm  this  faith  in  us  evermore.  Give  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  this 
infant ;  that  he  may  be  born  again,  and  be  made  a?i  ?ieir  of 
everlasting  salvation,  through  om*  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  liveth 
and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  now  and  for  ever. 
Amen. 


10  PUBLIC    BAPTISM    OF    INFANTS. 

^  Then  shall  the  Minister  speak  unto  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  on 
this  wise : 

Dearly  beloved,  ye  have  brought  tJiis  child  here  to  be  bap- 
tized; ye  have  prayed  that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ^vould 
vouchsafe  to  receive  Imn,  to  release  him  from  sin,  to  sanctify 
him  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  give  him  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
and  everlasting  life.  Ye  have  heard  also  that  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  hath  promised,  in  his  Gospel,  to  grant  all  these  things 
that  ye  have  prayed  for ;  which  promise,  he  for  his  part  will 
most  surely  keep  and  perforin.  Wherefore,  after  this  promise 
made  by  Christ,  this  infant  must  also  faithfully,  for  his  part, 
promise  by  you  that  are  his  sureties  (until  he  come  of  age  to 
take  it  upon  himself)  that  lie  will  renounce  the  devil  and  aU  his 
works,  and  constantly  believe  God's  holy  word,  and  obediently 
keep  his  commandments. 

^  The  Minister  shall  then  demand  of  the  Sponsors  as  follows;  the  ques- 
tions being  considered  as  addressed  to  them  severally,  and  the  answers 
to  be  made  accordingly. 

I  demand  therefore. 

Dost  thou,  in  the  name  of  this  child,  renounce  the  devil  and 
all  his  works,  the  vain  pomp  and  glory  of  the  world,  with  all 
covetous  desii-es  of  the  same,  and  the  sinful  desii-es  of  the  flesh ; 
so  that  thou  wilt  not  follow,  nor  be  led  by  them  ? 

Answer.  I  renounce  them  all ;  and,  by  God's  help,  will  endea- 
vour not  to  foUow,  nor  be  led  by  them. 

Minister.  Dost  thou  believe  all  the  aiiicles  of  the  Christian 
feith,  as  contained  in  the  Apostles'  Creed  ? 

Ansioer.  I  do. 

Minister.  Wilt  thou  be  baptized  in  this  faith  ? 

Answer.  That  is  ray  desu-e. 

Minister.  Wilt  thou  then  obediently  keep  God's  holy  wiU  and 
commandments,  and  walk  in  the  same  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ? 

Answer.  I  will,  by  God's  help. 

t  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 


PUBLIC  BAPTISM  OF  INFANTS.  11 

0  MERCIFUL  God,  grant  that  the  old  Adam  in  this  child  may- 
be so  buiied,  that  the  new  man  may  be  raised  up  in  him.     Amen. 

Grant  that  all  sinful  affections  may  die  in  him,  and  that  all 
things  belonging  to  the  Spuit  may  live  and  gi-ow  in  him. 
Amen. 

Grant  that  he  may  have  power  and  strength  to  have  victoiy, 
and  to  tiiumph  against  the  devil,  the  world,  and  the  flesh. 
Amen. 

Grant  that  whosoever  is  here  dedicated  to  thee  by  om*  office 
and  ministry,  may  also  be  endued  with  heavenly  vii'tues,  and 
everlastingly  rewarded,  through  thy  mercy,  0  blessed  Loed 
God,  who  dost  live  and  govern  all  things,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 

Almighty,  everliving  God,  whose  most  dearly  beloved  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  for  the  forgiveness  of  om*  sins,  did  shed  out  of  his 
most  precious  side  both  water  and  blood ;  and  gave  command- 
ment to  his  disciples,  that  they  should  go  teach  all  nations,  and 
baptize  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holt  Ghost  ;  regard,  we  beseech  thee,  the  supplications  of 
thy  congi-egation ;  sanctify  this  water  to  the  mystical  washing 
away  of  sin ;  and  grant  that  this  child,  now  to  be  baptized 
therein,  may  receive  the  fulness  of  thy  gi-ace,  and  ever  i-emain 
in  the  number  of  thy  faithful  chilcken ;  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord.    Ame7i. 

'i  Then  the  Minister  shall  take  the  child  into  his  hands,  and  shall  say  to 
the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers, 

2^ame  this  child. 

^  And  then,  naming  it  after  them,  he  shall  dip  it  in  the  water  discreetly, 
or  shall  pour  water  npon  it,  saying, 

N".  I  BAPTIZE  tliee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Sox,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

1  Then  the  Minister  shall  say, 
We  receive  this  child  into  the  congregation  of  Christ's  Flock, 


12  PUBLIC    BAPTISM    OF    INFANTS. 

and  do  *  sign  him  with  the  sign  of  »  ji„,  the  Minister  bUII  maU  a 
the  cross  ;  in  token  that  hereafter  he  crc.  upon  the  chiW»Meh.<ui. 
shall  not  be  ashamed  to  confess  the  faith  of  Christ  ci-ucified, 
and  manfully  to  fight  under  his  banner,  against  sin,  the  world, 
and  the  devil;  and  to  continue  Christ's  faithful  soldier  and 
servant  unto  his  life's  end.    Amen. 

^  If  those  who  present  the  infant  shall  desire  the  sign  of  the  cross  to  be 
omitted,  although  the  Church  knows  no  worthy  cause  of  scruple  con- 
cerning the  same,  yet,  in  that  case,  the  Minister  may  omit  that  part  of 
the  above  which  follows  the  immersion,  or  the  pouring  of  water  on 
the  infant. 

^  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

Seeing  now,  dearly  beloved  brethi-en,  that  this  child  is  regen- 
erate, and  grafted  into  the  body  of  Christ's  Church ;  let  us 
give  thanks  unto  Almighty  God  for  these  benefits,  and  with  one 
accord  make  our  prayers  unto  him,  that  this  child  may  lead  the 
rest  of  his  Ufe  according  to  this  beginning. 

1  Then  shall  be  said,  all  kneeling, 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy  Name ;  Thy 
kingdom  come ;  Thy  wiU  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven ; 
Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread ;  And  forgive  us  om-  trespasses, 
as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us ;  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation ;  But  deliver  us  from  evil.  Amen. 
^  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

"We  yield  thee  hearty  thanks,  most  merciful  Father,  that  it 
hath  pleased  thee  to  regenerate  this  infant  with  thy  holy  Spirit, 
to  receive  him  for  thine  own  child  by  adoption,  and  to  incor- 
porate him  into  thy  holy  Chm-ch.  And  humbly  we  beseech 
thee  to  grant,  that  he,  bebg  dead  unto  sin,  and  living  unto 
righteousness,  and  being  buiied  with  Christ  in  his  death,  may 
crucify  the  old  man,  and  utterly  abolish  the  whole  body  of  sin ; 
and  that  as  he  is  made  partaker  of  the  death  of  thy  Son,  he 
may  also  be  partaker  of  his  resurrection ;  so  that  finally,  with 
the  residue  of  thy  holy  Chmxh,  he  may  be  an  inheritor  of  thine 
everlasting  kingdom ;  through  Christ  our  Lord.    Amen. 


PUBLIC    BAPTISM    OF    INFANTS.  13 

^  Then,  all  standing  np,  the  Minister  shall  say  to  the  Godfathers  and 
Godmothers  this  Exhortation  following: 

Forasmuch  as  this  child  hath  promised  bj  you  hia  sureties, 
to  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  to  believe  in  God,  and 
to  serve  him  ;  ye  must  remember,  tliat  it  is  youi*  parts  and  duties 
to  see  that  this  infant  be  taught,  so  soon  as  he  shall  be  able  to 
leara,  what  a  solemn  vow,  promise,  and  profession,  he  hath  here 
made  by  you.  And  that  he  may  know  these  things  the  better, 
ye  shall  call  upon  him  to  hear  sermons ;  and  chiefly  ye  shall 
provide,  that  he  may  learn  the  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and 
tlie  Ten  Commandments,  and  all  other  thmgs  which  a  Christian 
ought  to  know  and  beheve  to  his  soul's  health ;  and  that  this 
child  may  be  virtuously  brought  up  to  lead  a  godly  and  a 
Christian  life :  remembering  always,  that  Baptism  doth  repre- 
sent unto  us  our  profession ;  which  is,  to  follow  the  example  of 
our  Saviour  Chkist,  and  to  be  made  like  unto  him  ;  that  as  he 
died,  and  rose  again  for  us,  so  should  we,  who  are  baptized,  die 
from  sin,  and  rise  again  imto  righteousness ;  continually  mortify- 
ing all  om-  evil  and  connipt  affections,  and  daily  proceeding  in 
all  virtue  and  godliness  of  living. 

*{  Then  shall  he  add,  and  say. 
Ye  are  to  take  care  that  this  child  be  brought  to  the  Bishop 
to  be  confirmed  by  him,  so  soon  as  he  can  say  the  Creed,  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  is  sufficiently 
instructed  in  the  other  parts  of  the  Church  Catechism  set  forth 
for  that  purpose. 

2 


THE  MINISTEATION 


fritete  §^tml  d  C^iltrnit, 


IN    HOtrSE! 


<f  The  Minister  of  every  Parish  shall  often  admonish  the  People,  that  they 
defer  not  the  baptism  of  their  children  longer  than  the  first  or  second 
Sunday  next  after  their  birth,  or  other  Holy  day  falling  between,  unless 
upon  a  great  and  reasonable  cause. 

^  And  also  they  shall  warn  them,  that,  without  like  great  canse  and 
necessity,  they  procure  not  their  children  to  be  baptized  at  home  in 
their  houses.  But  when  need  shall  compel  them  so  to  do,  then  baptism 
shall  be  administered  as  followeth. 

^  First,  let  the  Minister  of  the  Parish  (or,  in  his  absence,  any  other  law- 
ful Minister  that  can  be  procured)  with  those  who  are  present,  call 
upon  God.  and  say  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  so  many  of  the  Collects  ap- 
pointed to  be  said  before  in  the  Form  of  Public  Baptism,  as  the  time 
and  present  exigence  will  suffer.  And  then,  the  child  being  named  by 
some  one  who  is  present,  the  Minister  shall  pour  water  upon  it,  saying 
these  words : 

K  I  B.A.PTIZE  thee  in  the  oame  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holt  Ghost.     Amen. 

*?■  Then  the  Minister  shall  give  thanks  unto  God,  and  say, 

We  yield  thee  hearty  thanks,  most  merciful  Father,  that  it 
hath  pleased  thee  to  regenerate  this  infant  with  thy  holy  Spuit, 
to  receive  him.  for  thine  own  child  by  adoption,  and  to  incorpo- 
rate him  into  thy  holy  Chm-cL  And  humbly  we  beseech  thee 
to  gi-ant,  that  he,  being  dead  unto  siu,  and  living  unto  righteous- 
ness, and  being  buried  with  Christ  in  his  death,  may  cnacify  the 
old  man,  and  utterly  abolish  the  whole  body  of  sin ;  and  that  as 
he  is  made  partaker  of  the  death  of  thy  Son,  he  may  also  be 
partaker  of  his  resun-ection ;  so  that  finally,  with  the  residue  of 
thy  holy  Church,  he  may  be  an  inheritor  of  thine  everlasting 
kingdom,  through  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

^  And  let  them  not  doubt,  but  that  the  child  so  baptized  is  lawfully  and 
suflSiciently  baptized,  and  ought  not  to  be  baptized  again.  Yet  never- 
theless, if  the  child  which  is  after  this  sort  baptized  do  afterward  live ; 


PRIVATE    BAPTISM    OF    CHILDREN.  15 

it  is  expedient  that  it  be  brought  into  the  church,  to  the  intent  that  if 
the  Minister  of  the  sanae  Parish  did  himself  baptize  that  child,  the 
Congregation  may  be  certified  of  the  true  form  of  Baptism,  by  him 
privately  before  used :  in  which  case  he  shall  say  thus : 

I   CERTIFY  you,  that  according  to  the  due  and  prescribed 

Order  of  the  Chm-ch,  at  such  a  time  and  at  such  a  place,  before 

divers  witnesses,  I  baptized  this  child. 

^  But  if  the  child  were  baptized  by  any  other  lawful  Minister,  then  the 
Minister  of  the  Parish  where  the  child  was  born  or  christened,  shall 
examine  whether  the  same  hath  been  lawfully  done.  And  if  the  Min- 
ister shall  find,  by  the  answers  of  sucli  as  bring  the  child,  that  all  things 
were  done  as  they  ought  to  be;  then  shall  not  he  christen  the  child 
again,  but  shall  receive  him  as  one  of  the  flock  of  true  Christian  People, 
saying  thus: 

I  CERTIFY  you,  that  in  this  case  all  is  well  done,  and  accord- 
ing unto  due  order,  concerning  the  baptizing  of  this  child;  who 
is  now  by  baptism  incoi-porated  into  the  Christian  Church :  For 
GUI'  Lord  Jesus  Christ  doth  not  deny  his  gi-ace  and  mercy  unto 
such  infants  ;  but  most  lovingly  doth  call  them  unto  him,  as  the 
holy  Gospel  doth  witness  to  oui'  comfort  on  this  wise. 

^Then  the  Minister  shall  say  as  follows:  or  else  shall  pass  on  to  the 
Qaestions  addressed  to  the  Sponsors. 

Hear  the  words  of  the  Gospel,  written  by  St.  Mark,  in  the 
tenth  chaj)ter,  at  the  thuteenth  verse. 

TmsY  brought  young  childi-en  to  Christ,  that  he  should  touch 
them  ;  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those  who  brought  them.  But 
when  Jesus  saw  it,  he  was  much  displeased,  and  said  unto  them, 
Suffer  the  httle  children  to  come  mito  me,  and  forbid  them  not ; 
for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Verily  I  say  unto  you. 
Whosoever  shall  not  receive  the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little 
child,  he  shall  not  enter  therein.  And  he  took  them  up  in  his 
arms,  put  his  hands  upon  them,  and  blessed  them. 

•f  After  the  Gospel  is  read,  the  Minister  shall  make  this  brief  Exhortation 
ui)on  the  words  of  the  Gospel : 

Beloved,  ye  hear  in  this  Gospel  the  words  of  our  Saviom- 
Christ,  that  he  commanded  the  children  to  be  brought  unto 
him;  how  he  blamed  those  that  would  have  kept  them  from 


16  PRIVATE    BAPTISM    OF    CHILDREN, 

him ;  how  he  exhorteth  all  men  to  follow  tlieii-  iiinocency.  Ye 
perceive  how,  by  his  outward  gesture  and  deed,  he  declared  his 
good  will  toward  them  :  for  he  embraced  them  in  his  arms,  he 
laid  his  hands  upon  them,  and  blessed  them.  Doubt  ye  not 
therefore,  but  eai-nestly  beUeve,  that  he  hath  likewise  favom^ably 
received  this  present  infant ;  that  he  hath  embraced  him  with 
the  ai-ms  of  his  mercy ;  and,  as  he  hath  promised  in  his  holy 
word,  will  give  unto  him  the  blessing  of  eternal  Ufe,  and  make 
him  partaker  of  his  everlasting  kingdom.  Wherefore,  we  being 
thus  persuaded  of  the  good  will  of  our  heavenly  Father,  declai-ed 
by  his  Sou  Jesus  Christ,  toward  tlds  infant,  let  us  faithfully 
and  devoutly  give  thanks  imto  him,  and  say  the  prayer  which 
the  Lord  himself  taught  us. 

Our  Father,  who  art  iu  heaven.  Hallowed  be  thy  Name ;  Thy 
kingdom  come  ;  Thy  ^\'ill  be  done  on  eailh,  as  it  is  in  heaven ; 
Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread  ;  And  forgive  us  om-  trespasses, 
as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us ;  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation ;  But  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen. 

^  Then  shall  the  Minister  demand  the  name  of  the  child;  which  being 
by  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  pronounced,  the  Minister  shall  say 
as  follows: 

Dost  thou,  in  the  name  of  this  child,  renounce  the  devil  and 
aU  his  works,  the  vain  pomp  and  glory  of  the  world,  with  all 
covetous  desh-es  of  the  same,  and  the  sinful  desii-es  of  the  flesh ; 
so  that  thou  ^ilt  not  follow,  nor  be  led  by  them  ? 

Answer.  I  renounce  them  all ;  and,  by  God's  help,  will  en- 
deavour not  to  follow,  nor  be  led  by  them. 

Minister.  Dost  thou  believe  all  the  articles  of  the  ChiistiaQ 
faith,  as  contained  in  the  Apostles'  Creed  ? 

Answer.  I  do. 

Minister.  Wilt  thou  then  obediently  keep  God's  holy  will  and 
commandments,  and  walk  in  the  same  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ? 

Ansiver.  I  will,  by  God's  help. 


PRIVATE    BAPTISM    OF    CHILDREN.  17 

1  Then  the  Minister  shall  say, 
We  receive  this  child  into  tlie  Congi-egation  of  Christ's  Flock, 
and  do  *  sign  him  with  the  sign  of  the  cross ;        *  Here  the  mnister 

•     ,1          ,1,1  ^,        7       1     n         ,  1  1  1       shall  make  a  cross  upon 

in  token  that  hereafter  he  shall  not  be  ashamed    the  chud^s  forehead. 
to  confess  the  faith  of  Christ  crucified,  and  manfully  to  fight 
under  his  banner,  against  sin,  the  world,  and  the  devil ;  and  to 
continue  Christ's  faithful  soldier  and  servant  unto  his  life's  end. 
Amen. 

1  The  same  rule  is  to  be  observed  here,  as  to  the  omission  of  the  sign  of 
the  cross,  as  in  the  Public  Baptism  of  Infants. 

i"  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 
Seeing  now,  dearly  beloved  brethi-en,  that  this  child  is  regen- 
erate, and  grafted  into  the  body  of  Christ's  Church  ;  let  us  give 
thanks  unto  Almighty  God  for  these  benefits,  and  with  one  ac- 
cord make  our  prayers  unto  him,  that  this  child  may  lead  the 
rest  of  his  life  according  to  this  beginning. 

^  Then  shall  be  said,  all  kneeling, 
AYe  yield  thee  hearty  thanks,  most  merciful  Father,  that  it 
hath  pleased  thee  to  regenerate  this  infant  with  thy  holy  Spint, 
to  receive  him  for  thine  own  child  by  adoption,  and  to  incorpo- 
rate him  into  thy  holy  Chui'ch.  And  humbly  we  beseech  thee 
to  grant,  that  he  being  dead  unto  sin,  and  living  unto  righteous- 
ness, and  being  bmied  with  Christ  in  his  death,  may  crucify  the 
old  man,  and  utterly  abolish  the  whole  body  of  sin ;  and  that  as- 
he  is  made  partaker  of  the  death  of  thy  Son,  he  may  also  be 
partaJcer  of  his  resmrection  ;  so  that  finally,  with  the  residue  of 
thy  holy  Church,  he  may  be  an  inheritor  of  thine  everlasting 
kingdom,  through  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

1  Then,  all  standing  up,  the  Minister  shall  say  to  the  Godfathers  and 
Godmotl)ers  this  Exhortation  following : 

Forasmuch  as  this  child  hath  promised  by  you,  his  sui'eties, 
to  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  to  believe  in  God,  and 
to  serve  him ;  ye  must  remember,  that  it  is  youi-  parts  and  duties- 
2* 


18  PRIVATE    BAPTISM    OF    CHILDREN. 

to  see  tliat  this  infant  be  taught,  so  soon  as  he  shall  be  able  to 
learn,  wliat  a  solemn  vow,  promise,  and  profession  he  hath  here 
made  by  you.  And  that  he  may  know  these  things  the  better, 
ye  shall  call  upon  hi77i  to  hear  sermons ;  and  chiefly  ye  shall 
provide,  that  he  may  learn  the  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and 
the  Ten  Commandments,  and  all  other  things  which  a  Chi-istian 
ought  to  know  and  believe  to  his  soul's  health ;  and  that  this 
child  may  be  virtuously  brought  up  to  lead  a  godly  and  a 
Christian  life  :  remembering  always,  that  baptism  doth  represent 
unto  us  our  profession  ;  which  is,  to  follow  the  example  of  our 
Saviour  Christ,  and  to  be  made  like  unto  him  ;  that  as  he  died, 
and  rose  again  for  us,  so  should  we,  Mdio  are  baptized,  die  from 
sin,  and  rise  again  unto  righteousness;  continually  mortifying  all 
our  evil  and  corrupt  affections,  and  daily  proceeding  in  all  vii'tue 
and  godliness  of  living. 

T[  Then  shall  he  add,  and  say, 

Ye  are  to  take  care  that  this  child  be  brought  to  the  Bishop 

to  be  confirmed  by  him,  so  soon  as  he  can  say  the  Creed,  the 

Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  is  sufficiently 

instructed  in  the  other  parts  of  the  Church  Catechism,  set  forth 

for  that  purpose. 

^Biit  if  they  who  briiiff  the  infant  to  the  church  do  make  such  uncer- 
tain answers  to  the  Minister's  questions,  as  that  it  cannot  appear  that 
the  child  was  baptized  with  "Water,  in  the  Name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  (which  are  essential  parts  of  Baptism) 
then  let  the  ^vlinister  baptize  it  in  the  Form  before  appointed  for  Pub- 
lic Baptism  of  Infants ;  savin,?,  that,  at  the  dipping  of  the  child  in  the 
Font,  he  sliall  use  this  form  of  words : 

If  thou  ait  not  already  baptized,  iV.  I  baptize  thee  in  the 

name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Sox,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Amen. 

■^  If  Infant  Baptism,  and  the  receiving  of  Infants  baptized  in  private,  are 
to  be  at  the  same  time,  the  Minister  may  make  the  Questions  to  the 
Sponsors  and  the  succeeding  prayers  serve  for  botli.  And  again,  after 
the  Immersion,  or  the  pouring  of  water,  and  the  receiving  into  the 
Church,  the  Minister  may  use  the  remainder  of  the  Service  for  both. 


THE  MINISTEATION 

OF 


AKD    ABLE   TO   ANSWER   FOR   THEMSELVES. 


*f  "When  any  sucb  persons  as  are  of  Eiper  years  are  to  be  baptized,  timely 
notice  shall  be  given  to  the  Minister ;  that  so  due  cai'e  may  be  taken 
for  their  examination,  whether  they  be  sufficiently  instructed  in  the 
principles  of  the  Christian  Keligion ;  and  that  they  may  be  exhorted  to 
prepare  themselves,  with  prayers  and  fasting,  for  the  receiving  of  this 
holy  Sacrament. 

^  And  if  they  shall  be  found  fit,  then  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers 
(tbe  people  being  assembled  upon  the  Sunday,  Holy  day,  or  Prayer 
day,  appointed)  shall  be  ready  to  present  them  at  the  Font,  imme- 
diately after  the  Second  Lesson,  either  at  Morning  or  Evening  Prayer, 
as  the  Minister,  in  his  discretion,  shall  think  fit. 

%  And  standing  there,  the  Minister  shall  ask,  Whether  any  of  the  persons 
here  presented  be  baptized  or  no?  If  they  shall  answer,  No;  then 
shall  the  Minister  say  thus: 

Dearly  beloved,  forasmuch  as  all  men  are  conceived  and 
bom  in  sin,  (and  that  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh,)  and 
they  who  are  in  tlie  flesh  cannot  please  God,  but  live  in  sin, 
committing  many  actual  transgressions ;  and  our  Saviour  Christ 
saith,  None  can  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  except  he  be 
regenerate  and  born  anew  of  water  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  I 
beseech  you  to  call  upon  God  the  Father,  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  that  of  his  bounteous  goodness,  he  will  grant  to 
these  persons  that  which  by  natm'e  they  cannot  have  ;  that  they 
may  be  baptized  with  water  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  received 
into  Christ's  holy  Chui'ch,  and  be  made  lively  members  of  the 
same. 

T"  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

Let  us  pray. 
Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  who  of  thy  great  mercy,  didst 
save  Noah  and  his  family  in  the  ark  from  perisliing  by  water ; 


20      BAPTISM  OF  THOSE  OF  RIPER  YEARS. 

and  also  didst  safely  lead  the  cliildron  of  Israel  thy  people 
throiigh  the  Red  Sea,  fig:urmg  thereby  thy  holy  Baptism  ;  and 
by  the  baptism  of  thy  \reU-beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ  in  the 
river  Jordan,  didst  sanctify  the  element  of  •water,  to  the  mysti- 
cal -washing  a-way  of  sin ;  we  beseedi  thee,  for  tliine  infinite 
mercies,  that  thou  wilt  mercifully  look  upon  these  thy  servants  ; 
wash  them  and  sanctify  them  with  the  Holt  Ghost  ;  that  they^ 
being  delivered  from  thy  wrath,  may  be  received  into  the  ark 
of  Chkjsts  Church  ;  and  being  steadfast  in  faith,  joyful  thi-ough 
hope,  and  rooted  in  charity,  may  so  pass  the  waves  of  this 
troublesome  world,  that  finally  they  may  come  to  the  land  of 
everlasting  life ;  there  to  reign  with  thee,  world  without  end ; 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amc-ii. 
^  Or  this. 
At.mtghty  and  immortal  God,  the  aid  of  all  who  need,  the 
helper  of  all  who  flee  to  thee  for  succour,  the  life  of  those  who 
beheve.  and  the  resurrection  of  the  dead ;  we  call  upon  thee  for 
these  prr-^ons,  that  they,  coming  to  thy  holy  baptism,  may 
receive  remission  of  their  sins,  by  spiritual  regeneratioa  Re- 
ceive the7/u  0  Lord,  as  thou  hast  promised  by  thy  well-beloved 
Son,  saying,  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive ;  seek,  and  ye  shall  find ; 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you :  So  give  now  unto  us 
who  ask ;  let  us  who  seek,  find ;  open  the  gate  unto  us  who 
knock :  tiiat  these  persons  may  enjoy  the  everlasting  benediction 
of  thy  heavenly  washing,  and  may  come  to  the  eternal  kingdom 
which  thou  hast  promised  by  Christ  our  Lord.    Atnen. 

^  Then  the  Minister  shall  say, 

Hear  the  words  of  the  Gospel,  written  by  Saint  John,  in  the 
third  chapter,  beginning  at  the  first  verse : 

Theee  was  a  man  of  the  Pharisees,  named  Nicodemus,  a 
ruler  of  the  Jews.  The  same  came  to  Jesus  by  night,  and  said 
unto  him.  Rabbi,  we  know  that  thou  art  a  teacher  come  from 
God  ;  for  no  man  can  do  these  miracles  that  thou  doest,  except 


BAPTISM    OF    THOSE    OF    RIPER    TEARS.  21 

God  be  ^vith  him.  Jesus  answered  and  said  uuto  him,  Verily, 
verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  bom  again,  he  cannot 
see  the  kingdom  of  God.  Mcodemus  saith  unto  him,  How  can 
a  man  be  bom  when  he  is  old  ?  can  he  enter  the  second  time 
into  his  mother's  womb,  and  be  bom  ?  Jesus  answered,  Verily, 
verily,  I  say  unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of 
the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  That 
which  is  bora  of  the  flesh,  is  flesh  ;  and  that  which  is  bom  of  the 
Spirit,  is  spii-it.  Marvel  not  that  I  said  luito  thee,  ye  must  be 
bom  again.  The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou  heai-est 
the  sound  thereof;  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometh,  and 
whitlier  it  goeth :  so  is  every  one  that  is  bora  of  the  Spirit. 

T  After  •wliicli  he  shall  say  this  Exhortation  following : 

Beloved,  ye  hear  in  this  Gospel  the  express  words  of  our 
Saviom-  Christ,  that,  except  a  man  be  bora  of  water  and  of  the 
Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kbgdom  of  God.  Whereby  ye 
may  perceive  the  great  necessity  of  this  Sacrament,  where  it 
may  be  had.  Likewise,  immediately  before  his  ascension  into 
heaven,  (as  we  read  in  the  last  chapter  of  Saint  Mark's  Gospel,) 
he  gave  command  to  his  disciples,  saying,  Go  ye  into  all  the 
world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  eveiy  creatm-e.  He  that  be- 
lieveth,  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved ;  but  he  that  beUeveth 
not,  shall  be  damned:  which  also  showeth  unto  us  the  gi-eat 
benefit  we  reap  thereby.  For  which  cause  Saint  Peter  the 
Apostle,  when  upon  his  fii'st  preaching  of  the  Gospel  many  were 
pricked  at  the  heart,  and  said  to  him  and  the  rest  of  the  apos- 
tles, ilen  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do  ?  rephed,  and  said  imto 
them.  Repent  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you,  for  the  remis- 
sion of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  : 
For  the  promise  is  to  you  and  your  children,  and  to  all  that  are 
afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call.  And 
with  many  other  words  exhorted  he  them,  saying,  Save  yom*- 
selves  fi-om  this  untowai'd  generation.     For,  as  the  same  apostle 


22      BAPTISM  OF  THOSE  OF  RIPER  YEARS. 

testifieth  in  another  place,  even  baptism  doth  also  now  save  us, 
(not  the  putting  away  of  the  filth  of  the  flesh,  but  the  answer 
of  a  good  conscience  toward  God,)  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Doubt  ye  not  therefore,  but  earnestly  beheve,  that  he 
will  favourably  receive  these  present  persons,  truly  repenting, 
and  coming  unto  him  by  faith  ;  that  he  will  grant  them  remission 
of  tlieir  sins,  and  bestow  upon  them  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  that  he 
will  give  them  the  blessing  of  eternal  life,  and  make  the7n  'par- 
takers of  his  everlasting  kingdom. 

Wherefore,  we  being  thus  persuaded  of  the  good  will  of  om* 
heavenly  Father  toward  these  persons,  declai-ed  by  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  let  us  faithfully  and  devoutly  give  thanks  to  him, 
and  say. 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  heavenly  Father,  we  give 
thee  humble  thanks,  for  that  thou  hast  vouchsafed  to  call  us  to 
the  knowledge  of  thy  grace,  and  faith  in  thee :  increase  this 
knowledge,  and  confii-m  this  faith  in  us  evermore.  Give  thy 
Holy  Spirit  to  these  persons,  that  thei/  may  be  born  again,  and 
be  made  heirs  of  everlasting  salvation,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit, 
now  and  for  ever.     Amen. 

^  Then  the  Minister  sliall  speak  to  tlie  persons  to  be  baptized  on  this 
wise : 

Well-beloved,  who  are  come  hither  desiring  to  receive  holy 
Baptism,  ye  have  heard  how  the  congi-egation  hath  prayed,  that 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  vouchsafe  to  receive  you  and  bless 
you,  to  release  you  of  yom-  sins,  to  give  you  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  and  everlasting  life.  Ye  have  heai'd  also  that  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  bath  promised,  in  his  holy  word,  to  grant  all  those 
things  that  ye  have  prayed  for ;  which  promise  he,  for  his  pail, 
will  most  surely  keep  and  perfoiin.  Wherefore,  after  this  prom- 
ise made  by  Christ,  ye  must  also  faithfully,  for  yom-  pai-t,  in 
the  presence  of  these  your  witnesses,  and  this  whole  congi-ega- 
tion,  promise  and  answer  to  the  following  questions. 


BAPTISM    OP   THOSE    OF    RIPER    YEARS.  23 

^  The  Minister  shall  then  demand  of  the  persons  to  be  baptized  as  fol- 
lows ;  the  questions  being  considered  as  addressed  to  them  severally, 
and  the  answers  to  be  made  accordingly. 

Questloti. 

Dost  thou  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  the  vain  pomp 
and  glory  of  the  world,  with  all  covetous  desires  of  the  same, 
and  the  sinful  desu-es  of  the  flesh  ;  so  that  thou  wilt  not  follow 
nor  be  led  by  them  ? 

Answer.  I  renounce  them  all ;  and,  by  God's  help,  will  en- 
deavour not  to  follow,  nor  be  led  by  them. 

Question.  Dost  thou  believe  all  the  articles  of  the  Chiistian 
faith,  as  contained  in  the  Apostles'  Creed  ? 

Answer.  I  do. 

Question.  Wilt  thou  be  baptized  in  this  faith  ? 

Answer.  That  is  my  desire. 

Question.  Wilt  thou  then  obediently  keep  God's  holy  will  and 
commandments ;  and  walk  in  the  same  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ? 

Ansioer.  I  will,  by  God's  help. 

^  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

0  MERCIFUL  God,  grant  that  the  old  Adam  in  these  persons 
may  be  so  buried,  that  the  new  man  may  be  raised  up  in  them. 
Amen. 

Grant  that  all  sinful  affections  may  die  in  them,  and  that  all 
things  belonging  to  the  Spiiit  may  live  and  grow  in  them. 
Amen. 

Grant  that  they  may  have  power  and  strength  to  have  vic- 
toiy,  and  to  ti'iumph,  against  the  devil,  the  world,  and  the  flesh. 
Amen. 

Grant  that  they  being  here  dedicated  to  thee  by  our  office  and 
ministiy,  may  also  be  endued  with  heavenly  virtues,  and  ever- 
lastingly rewai'ded,  through  thy  mercy,  0  blessed  Lord  God, 
who  dost  hve  and  govern  all  things,  world  without  end.    Amen. 

Almighty,  everliving  God,  whose  most  dearly  beloved  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  for  tlie  forgiveness  of  om-  sins,  did  shed  out  of  liis 


24      BAPTISM  OF  THOSE  OF  RIPER  YEARS. 

most  precious  side  both  water  and  blood ;  and  gave  coniniandment 
to  bis  disciples,  that  they  should  go  teach  all  nations,  and  baptize 
them  in  the  name  of  the  Fathek,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  ;  regard,  we  beseech  thee,  the  suppHcations  of  thy 
congi-egation ;  sanctify  this  water  to  the  mystical  washing  away 
of  sin ;  and  grant  that  the  persons  now  to  be  baptized  therein 
may  receive  the  fulness  of  thy  grace,  and  ever  remain  in  the 
number  of  thy  faithful  childi'en,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

*ir  Then  shall  the  Minister  take  each  person  to  be  baptized  by  the  right 
hand ;  and  placing  him  conveniently  by  the  Font  according  to  his  dis- 
cretion, shall  ask  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  the  name ;  and  then 
shall  dip  him  in  the  water,  or  jiour  water  upon  him,  saying, 

]Sr,  I  BAPTIZE  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holt  Ghost.     Amen. 

^  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

"We  receive  this  person  into  the  congregation   of  Christ's 
Flock,  and  do  *  sign  him  with  the  sign  of  the       *  iiere  the  MMtter 

/-Tin  1  shall  make  a  cro$s  upon 

cross;  m  token  that  hereaiter /te  shall  not  be     ae  person's  forehead. 
ashamed  to  confess  the  faith  of  Christ  cnicified,  and  manfully 
to  fight  under  his  banner,  against  sin,  the  world,  and  the  devil ; 
and  to  continue  Christ's  faithful  soldier  and  servant  unto  his 
life's  end.    Amen. 

^  The  same  rule,  as  to  the  omission  of  the  sign  of  the  cross,  is  to  be  ob- 
served here,  as  in  the  Baptism  of  Infants. 

'i  Then  shall  the  Minister  say, 

Seeing  now,  dearly  beloved  brethren,  that  these  persons  are 

regenerate,  and  grafted  into  the  body  of  Christ's  Church ;  let 

us  give  thanks  unto  Almighty  God  for  these  benefits,  and  with 

one  accord  make  om-  prayers  unto  him,  that  they  may  lead  the 

rest  of  their  life  according  to  this  beginning. 

T  Then  shall  be  said  the  Lord's  Prayer,  all  kneeling. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy  Name ;  Thy 

kingdom  come ;  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven ; 


BAPTISM    OF    THOSE    OF    RIPER    YEARS.  25 

Give  us  tliis  day  our  daily  bread ;  And  forgive  us  our  trespasses, 
as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us ;  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation ;  But  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen, 

"We  yield  thee  humble  thanks,  0  heavenly  Father,  that  thou 
hast  vouchsafed  to  caU  us  to  the  knowledge  of  thy  grace,  and 
faith  in  thee :  increase  this  knowledge,  and  confirm  tibis  faith  in 
us  evennore.  Give  thy  holy  Spirit  to  these  persons  ;  that  being 
now  born  again,  and  made  heirs  of  everlasting  salvation,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  they  may  continue  thy  servants,  and 
attain  thy  promises,  thi'ough  the  same  Lord  Jesus  Christ  thy 
Son ;  who  hveth  and  reigueth  with  thee,  in  the  unity  of  the  same 
Holy  Spirit,  everlastingly.    Amen. 

\  Then,  all  standing  up,  the  Minister  shall  use  this  Exhortation  follow- 
ing :  speaking  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  first. 

Forasmuch  as  tliese  persons  have  promised,  in  your  presence, 
to  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  to  believe  in  God,  and 
to  serve  him ;  ye  must  remember  that  it  is  your  part  and  duty 
to  put  the7n  in  mind,  what  a  solemn  vow,  promise,  and  profes- 
sion, they  have  now  made  before  this  congregation,  and  especially 
before  you  their  chosen  witnesses.  And  ye  are  also  to  call 
upon  thein  to  use  all  diligence  to  be  rightly  instructed  in  God's 
holy  word  ;  that  so  they  may  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ;  and  live  godly,  righteously,  and 
soberly,  in  this  present  world. 

T  And  then  speaking  to  the  baptized  persons,  he  shall  proceed  and  say, 
And  as  for  you,  who  have  now  by  baptism  put  on  Christ,  it 
is  your  pait  and  duty  also,  being  made  the  children  of  God  and 
of  tlie  light,  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  to  walk  answerably  to 
your  Christian  calling,  and  as  becometh  the  children  of  light; 
remembering  always,  that  Baptism  represeuteth  unto  us  our 
profession ;  which  is,  to  follow  the  example  of  our  Saviour 
Christ,  and  to  be  made  like  unto  him  ;  that  as  he  died,  and  rose 
again  for  us,  so  should  we,  who  are  baptized,  die  from  sin,  and 
3 


26  BAPTISM    OF    THOSE    OF   RIPER    YEARS. 

rise  again  unto  righteousness ;  continually  mortifying  all  our 
evil  and  coiTupt  affections,  and  daily  proceeding  in  all  virtue 
and  godliness  of  living, 

^  It  is  expedient  that  every  person  thus  baptized  should  be  confirmed  by 
the  Bishop,  so  soon  after  his  Baptism  as  conveniently  may  be  ;  that  so 
he  may  be  admitted  to  the  Holy  Communion. 

^  "Whereas  necessity  may  require  the  baptizing  of  adults  in  private 
houses,  in  consideration  of  extreme  sickness;  the  same  is  hereby 
allowed  in  that  case.  And  a  convenient  number  of  persons  shall  be 
assembled  in  the  house  where  the  Sacrament  is  to  be  performed.  And 
in  the  exhortation.  Well-beloved,  <fec.,  instead  of  these  words,  come 
hither  desiring,  shall  be  inserted  this  word,  desirous. 

^  If  there  be  occasion  for  the  Office  of  Infant  Baptism  and  that  of  Adults 
at  the  same  time,  the  Minister  shall  use  the  exhortation  and  one  of  the 
prayers  next  following  in  the  Office  for  Adults ;  only,  in  the  exhorta- 
tion and  prayer,  after  the  words,  these  2)e>'-^ons.  and  these  thy  servants^ 
adding,  and  these  infants.  Then  the  Minister  shall  proceed  to  the 
questions  to  be  demanded  in  the  cases  respectively.  After  the  im- 
mersion, or  the  pouring  of  water,  the  prayer  shall  be  as  in  this  service ; 
only,  after  the  words,  these  persons,  shall  be  added,  rt?ic?  these  infants. 
After  which  the  remaining  part  of  each  service  shall  be  used ;  first  that 
for  Adults,  and  lastly  that  for  Infonts. 

^  If  any  person,  not  baptized  in  their  infancy,  shall  be  brought  to  be 
baptized  before  they  come  to  years  of  discretion  to  answer  for  them- 
selves, it  may  suffice  to  use  the  Office  for  Public  Baptism  of  Infants; 
or,  in  case  of  extreme  danger,  the  Office  for  Private  Baptism ;  only 
changing  the  word  infant,  for  child,  or  person,  as  occasion  requireth. 


%  Cato^im ; 


THAT  IS  TO  SAY, 


AN"  INSTRUCTION,  TO  BE  LEARNED  BY  EVERY  PERSON  BEFORE  HE 
BROUGHT  TO  BE  CONFIRMED  BY  THE  BISHOP. 


Question. 

1.  "What  is  youi*  name  ? 
Ans.  N.  or  M. 

2.  Quest.  Who  gave  you  tliis  name  ? 

Ans.  My  Sponsors  in  Baptism  ;  wherein  I  was  made  a  mem- 
ber of  Christ,  the  child  of  God,  and  an  inheritor  of  the  kingdom 
of  heaven. 

3.  Quest.  What  did  your  Sponsors  then  for  you  ? 

Ans.  They  did  promise  and  vow  three  things  in  my  name : 
First,  that  I  should  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  the 
pomps  and  vanity  of  this  wicked  world,  and  all  the  sinful  lusts 
of  the  flesh  ;  Secondly,  that  I  should  beheve  all  the  articles  of 
the  Christian  faith ;  And  Thirdly,  that  I  should  keep  God's  holy 
wUl  and  commandments,  and  walk  in  the  same  all  the  days  of 
my  Kfe, 

4.  Quest.  Dost  thou  not  think  that  thou  art  bound  to  believe, 
and  to  do,  as  they  have  promised  for  thee  ? 

Ans.  Yes,  verily  ;  and  by  God's  help  so  I  will :  and  I  heartily 
thank  om*  heavenly  Father,  that  he  hath  called  me  to  this  state 
of  salvation,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour :  and  I  pray  unto 
God  to  give  me  his  gi-ace,  that  I  may  continue  in  the  same  unto 
my  life's  end. 

6.  Catechist.  Reheai'se  the  articles  of  thy  Belief. 

Answer. 
I  believe  in  God  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker  of  heaven  and 
earth : 

And  in  Jesus  Christ  his  only  Son  our  Lord ;  Who  was  con- 


28  A   CATECHISM. 

ceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  Bom  of  tlie  Virgin  Maiy,  Suffered 
under  Pontius  Pilate,  "Was  crucified,  dead,  aud  buried ;  He 
descended  into  hell ;  The  third  day  he  rose  from  the  dead ;  He 
ascended  into  heaven,  And  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God  the 
Father  Almighty ;  From  thence  he  shall  come  to  judge  the 
quick  and  the  dead. 

I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  The  holy  catholic  Church ;  The 
communion  of  saints ;  The  forgiveness  of  sins ;  The  resurrection 
of  the  body,  and  the  Ufe  everlasting.     Amen. 

6.  Quest.  What  dost  thou  chiefly  learn  in  these  ai'ticles  of  thy 
Belief? 

Ans.  First,  I  learn  to  believe  in  God  the  Father,  who  hath 
made  me,  and  all  the  world. 

Secondly,  in  God  the  Sox,  who  hath  redeemed  me,  and  all 
mankind. 

Thirdly,  in  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  sanctifieth  me,  and  all 
the  people  of  God. 

1.  Quest.  You  said  that  yom-  sponsors  did  promise  for  you, 
that  you  should  keep  God's  commandments.  Tell  me  how 
many  there  are. 

A71S.  Ten. 

8.   Quest.  "VVTiich  are  they  ? 

Answer. 
The  same  which  God  spake  in  the  twentieth  chapter  of 
Exodus,  saying,  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  who  brought  thee  out 
of  the  land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage. 

I.  Thou  shalt  have  none  other  gods  but  me. 

II.  Thou  shalt  not  make  to  thyself  any  gi-aven  image,  nor  the 
likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  in  the  eai-th 
beneath,  or  in  the  water  under  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  not  bow 
down  to  them,  nor  worship  them  :  for  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a 
jealous  God,  and  visit  the  sins  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children, 
unto  the  thii'd  aud  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me  ;  and 


A   CATECHISM.  7iV 

show  mercy  unto  thousands  in  them  that  love  me,  and  keep  my 
commandments. 

Ill,  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in 
vain  :  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh  his 
name  in  vain. 

TV.  Remember  that  thou  keep  holy  the  Sabbath-day.  Six 
days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  that  thou  hast  to  do ;  but  the 
seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God.  Li  it  thou 
shalt  do  no  manner  of  work,  thou,  and  thy  son,  and  thy  daughter, 
thy  man-servant,  and  thy  maid-sei-vant,  thy  cattle,  and  the 
sti-anger  that  is  within  thy  gates.  For  in  six  days  the  Lord 
made  heaven  and  eai-th,  the  sea,  and  aU  that  in  them  is,  and 
rested  the  seventh  day :  wherefore  the  Lord  blessed  the 
seventh  day,  and  hallowed  it. 

Y.  Honom*  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be 
long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee 

VL  Thou  shalt  do  no  murder. 

VIL  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adulteiy. 

VIII.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

IX.  Thou  shalt  not  beai-  false  witness  against  thy  neighbour. 

X.  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  house,  thou  shalt  not 
covet  thy  neighbour's  wife,  nor  his  servant,  nor  his  maid,  nor  his 
ox,  nor  his  ass,  nor  any  thing  that  is  his. 

9.  Quest.  What  dost  thou  chiefly  learn  by  these  command- 
ments ? 

Ans.  I  learn  two  things ;  my  duty  towai'd  God,  and  my  duty 
toward  my  neighbour. 

10.  Quest  What  is  thy  duty  toward  God  ? 

Ans.  My  duty  toward  God  is,  to  believe  in  him ;  to  fear 
him  ;  and  to  love  him  with  all  my  heart,  with  aU  my  mind,  with 
all  my  soul,  and  with  all  my  strength ;  to  worship  him ;  to  give 
him  tliauks ;  to  put  my  whole  trust  in  him  ;  to  call  upon  him  ; 
to  honour  his  holy  name  and  his  word  ;  and  to  serve  him  truly  all 
the  days  of  ray  hfe. 

3* 


30  A  CATECHISM. 

11.  Quent.  What  is  thy  duty  toward  thy  neighbour  ? 

A)is.  My  duty  toward  my  neighbour  is,  to  love  him  as  myself, 
and  to  do  to  ail  men  as  I  would  they  should  do  unto  me:  to 
love,  honour,  and  succour  my  father  and  mother:  to  honour  and 
obey  the  civil  authority  :  to  submit  myself  to  all  my  goveraors, 
teachers,  spiritual  pastors,  and  masters :  to  order  myself  lowly 
and  reverently  to  aU  my  betters :  to  hurt  nobody  by  word  or 
deed :  to  be  true  and  just  in  all  my  dealings  :  to  bear  no  maHce 
nor  hatred  in  my  heart :  to  keep  ray  hands  from  picking  and 
stealing,  and  my  tongue  from  evil  speaking,  lying,  and  slander- 
ing :  to  keep  my  body  in  temperance,  soberness,  and  chastity : 
not  to  covet  nor  desu*e  other  mens  goods  ;  but  to  learn  and  labour 
truly  to  get  mine  own  hving,  and  to  do  my  duty  in  that  state 
of  life  unto  which  it  shall  please  God  to  call  me. 

12.  Catechist.  My  good  child,  know  this,  that  thou  art  not 
able  to  do  these  things  of  thyself,  nor  to  walk  in  the  command- 
ments of  God,  and  to  serve  him,  without  his  special  grace,  which 
thou  must  learn  at  aU  times  to  call  for  by  diligent  prayer.  Let 
me  hear,  therefore,  if  thou  canst  say  the  Lord's  Prayer. 

Answer. 
Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy  ^Name ;  Thy 
kingdom  come ;  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven ; 
Give  us  this  day  om*  daily  bread ;  And  forgive  us  our  trespasses, 
as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us ;  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation  ;  But  deliver  us  fi'om  evil.     Amen. 

13.  Quest,  What  desirest  thou  of  God  in  this  prayer? 

Ans.  I  desu-e  my  Lord  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  who  is  the 
giver  of  all  goodness,  to  send  his  gi-ace  unto  me  and  all  people  ; 
that  we  may  worship  him,  serve  him,  and  obey  him,  as  we 
ought  to  do :  and  I  pray  unto  God,  that  he  will  send  us  aU 
things  that  are  needful  both  for  our  souls  and  bodies :  and  that 
he  will  be  merciful  mito  us,  and  forgive  us  om*  sins  ;  and  that  it 
will  please  him  to  save  and  defend  us  in  all  dangers  both  of 
soul  and  body ;  and  that  he  will  keep  us  fi-om  all  sin  and  wick- 


A   CATECHISM.  31 

ednes9,  and  fi-om  oui*  spu-itual  enemy,  and  from  everlasting 
death :  and  this  I  trust  he  will  do  of  his  mercy  and  goodness, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ;  and  therefore  I  say,  Amen : 
So  be  it 

Question, 

14.  How  many  Sacraments  hath  Christ  ordained  in  his 
Church  ? 

Ans.  Two  only,  as  generally  necessary  to  salvation ;  that  is 
to  say,  Bajjtism,  and  the  Supper  of  the  Lord. 

15.  Quest.  What  meanest  thou  by  this  word  Sacrament? 
Ans.  I  mean  an  outwai'd  and  visible  sign  of  an  inward  and 

spiritual  gi-ace,  given  unto  us ;  ordained  by  Christ  himself ;  as 
a  means  whereby  we  receive  the  same,  and  a  pledge  to  assure 
us  thereof 

16.  Quest.  How  many  parts  are  there  in  a  Sacrament? 
Ans.  Two  ;  the  outward  visible  sign,  and  the  inward  spiritual 

grace. 

lY.  Quest.  What  is  the  outward  visible  sign  or  form  in  Bap- 
tism? 

Ans.  Water  ;  wherein  the  person  is  baptized,  In  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

18.  Quest.  What  is  the  inward  and  spiritual  grace? 

Ans.  A  death  unto  sin,  and  a  new  birth  unto  righteousness : 
for  being  by  nature  bora  in  sin,  and  the  childi'en  of  wrath,  we 
are  hereby  made  the  children  of  grace. 

19.  Qitest.  What  is  required  of  persons  to  be  baptized  ? 
Ans.    Repentance,   whereby  they   forsake   sin;    and   faith, 

whereby  they  steadfastly  believe  the  promises  of  God  made  to 
them  in  that  Sacrament. 

20.  Qicest.  Why  then  are  infouts  baptized,  when  by  reason 
of  their  tender  age  they  cannot  perform  them  ? 

Ans.  Because  they  promise  them  both  by  their  sureties  ; 
which  promise,  when  they  come  to  age,  themselves  are  bound 
to  perform. 


32  A   CATECHISM. 

21.  Quest.  Why  "was  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
ordained  ? 

Ans.  For  the  continual  remembrance  of  the  sacrifice  of  the 
death  of  Christ,  and  of  the  benefits  which  we  receive  thereby. 

22.  Quest.  What  is  the  outwai'd  part  or  sign  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  ? 

Ans.  Bread  and  wine,  which  the  Lokd  hath  commanded  to 
be  received. 

23.  Quest.  What  is  the  inward  part  or  thing  signified  ? 
Ans.  The  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  which  are  spiiitiially 

taken  and  received  by  the  faithful  in  the  Lord's  Supper, 

24.  Quest.  What  are  the  benefits  whereof  we  ai-e  partakers 
thereby  ? 

Ans.  The  strengthening  and  refi-eshing  of  oui*  souls  by  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ,  as  om*  bodies  are  by  the  bread  and 
wine. 

25.  Quest.  What  is  requii-ed  of  those  who  come  to  the  Lord's 
Supper  ? 

Ans.  To  examine  themselves,  whether  they  repent  thom  tnily 
of  their  former  sins,  steadfastly  pui-posing  to  lead  a  new  life  ; 
have  a  hvely  faith  in  God's  mercy,  through  Christ,  with  a  thank- 
ful remembrance  of  his  death ;  and  be  in  charity  with  all  men. 

^  The  Minister  of  every  parish  shall  diligently  upon  Sundays  and  Holy 
days,  or  on  some  other  convenient  occasions,  openly  in  the  church, 
instruct  or  examine  so  man}-  children  of  his  parish,  sent  unto  him,  as 
he  shall  think  convenient,  in  some  part  of  this  Catechism. 

T"And  all  fathers,  mothers,  masters,  and  mistresses  shall  cause  their 
children,  servants,  and  apprentices,  who  have  not  learned  their  Cate- 
chism, to  come  to  the  church  at  the  time  appointed,  and  ohediently  to 
hear,  and  to  be  ordered  by  the  Minister,  until  such  time  as  they  have 
learned  all  that  is  here  appointed  for  them  to  learn. 

^  So  soon  as  children  are  come  to  a  competent  age,  and  can  say  the 
Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  can  answer 
to  the  other  questions  of  this  short  Catechism,  they  shall  be  brought  to 
the  Bishop. 

<f  And  whensoever  the  Bishop  shall  give  knowledge  for  children  to  be 
brought  unto  him  for  their  Confirma'tion,  the  Minister  of  every  parish 
shall  either  bring,  or  send  in  writing,  with  his  hand  subscribed  there- 
unto, the  names  of  all  such  persons  within  his  parish,  as  he  shall  think 
fit  to  be  presented  to  the  Bishop  to  be  confirmed. 


C|e  ©rkr  of  Caufirmntiait, 

OR,  LAYING  HANDS  UPON  THOSE  WHO  ARE  BAPTIZED  AND  COME  TO 
YEARS  OF  DISCRETION. 


^  Upon  the  day  appointed,  all  that  are  to  be  then  confirmed,  being  placed 
and  standing  in  order  before  the  Bishop ;  he,  or  some  other  Minister 
appointed  by  him,  shall  read  this  preface  following : 

To  the  end  that  Conlinnation  may  be  ministered  to  the  more 
edifying  of  such  as  shall  receive  it,  the  Chui-ch  hath  thought  good 
to  order,  that  none  shall  be  confirmed,  but  such  as  can  say  the 
Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten  Commandments ;  and  can 
also  answer  to  such  other  questions,  as  in  the  short  Catechism 
are  contained :  which  order  is  very  convenient  to  be  observed ; 
to  the  end  that  children,  being  now  come  to  the  yeai-s  of  dis- 
cretion, and  having  learned  what  their  godfathers  and  godmo- 
thers promised  for  them  in  baptism,  may  themselves,  with  their 
own  mouth  and  consent,  openly  before  the  Chm-ch  ratify  and 
coufii'm  the  same ;  and  also  promise,  that,  by  the  gi'ace  of  God, 
they  will  evermore  endeavom*  themselves  faithfully  to  observe 
such  things  as  they,  by  their  own  confession,  have  assented  unto. 
^  Then  shall  the  Bishop  say, 

Do  ye  here,  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  of  this  congregation, 
renew  the  solemn  promise  and  vow  that  ye  made,  or  that  waa 
made  in  your  name,  at  yom-  baptism ;  ratifying  and  confii-ming 
the  same ;  and  acknowledging  yourselves  bound  to  believe  and 
to  do  all  those  things  which  ye  then  undertook,  or  your  sponsors 
then  xmdertook  for  you  ? 

^  And  every  one  shall  audibly  answer, 

I  do. 

Bishop. 

Our  help  is  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  ; 

Ans.  Who  hath  made  heaven  and  eai'tb. 


34  THE    ORDER    OF    CONFIRMATION. 

Bishop.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord; 
Ans.  Henceforth,  world  without  end. 
Bishop.  LoKD,  heai*  our  prayer. 
Ans.  And  let  our  ciy  come  unto  thee. 
Bishop.  Let  us  pray. 

Almighty  and  everliving  God,  who  hast  vouchsafed  to  regen- 
erate these  thy  servants  by  water  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
hast  given  unto  them  forgiveness  of  all  their  sins ;  strengthen 
them,  we  beseech  thee,  0  Lord,  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  the 
Comforter ;  and  daily  increase  in  them  thy  manifold  gifts  of 
grace ;  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding,  the  spirit  of 
counsel  and  ghostly  strength,  the  spirit  of  knowledge  and  true 
godliness ;  and  fill  them,  0  Lord,  with  the  spuit  of  thy  holy 
fear,  now  and  for  ever.     Amen. 

^Then  all  of  them  in  order  kneeling  before  tlie  Bishop,  he  shall  lay  his 
hands  upon  the  head  of  every  one  severally,  saying. 

Defend,  0  Lord,  this  thy  child  \or,  this  thy  servant^  with 

thy  heavenly  gi-ace ;  that  he  may  continue  thine  for  ever,  and 

daily  increase  in  thy  Holy  Spirit  more  and  more,  until  he  come 

unto  thy  everlasting  kingdom.     Amen. 

^  Then  shall  the  Bishop  say, 

The  Lord  be  with  you. 

Ayis.  And  with  thy  spirit. 

t  All  kneeling  down,  the  Bishop  shall  add. 

Let  us  pray. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven.  Hallowed  be  thy  Name ;  Thy 

kingdom  come ;  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven  ; 

Give  us  this  day  om*  daily  bread ;  And  forgive  us  our  trespasses, 

as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us ;  And  lead  us  not 

into  temptation ;  But  deliver  us  fi-om  evil.     Amen. 

1"  And  these  Collects. 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  who  makest  us  both  to  will 

and  to  do  those  things  which  are  good  and  acceptable  unto  thy 


THE    ORDER    OF    CONFIRMATION.  35 

divine  majesty ;  we  make  om-  hiimble  supplications  imto  thee 
for  these  thy  servants,  upon  -whom,  after  the  example  of  thy 
holy  apostles,  vre  have  now  laid  our  hands ;  to  certify  them,  by 
this  sign,  of  thy  favom*  and  gracious  goodness  toward  them.  Let 
thy  Fatherly  hand,  we  beseech  thee,  ever  be  over  them :  Let 
thy  Holy  Spirit  ever  be  with  them :  and  so  lead  them  in  the 
knowledge  and  obedience  of  thy  word,  that  in  the  end  they  may 
obtain  everlasting  hfe,  thi-ough  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ;  who, 
with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  hveth  and  reigneth  ever  one 
God,  world  without  end.     Ameji. 

0  Almighty  Lord,  and  everlasting  God,  vouchsafe,  we  be- 
seech thee,  to  dii-ect,  sanctify,  and  govern,  both  om-  hearts  and 
bodies,  in  the  ways  of  thy  laws,  and  in  the  works  of  thy  com- 
mandments ;  that  thi-ough  thy  most  mighty  protection,  both  liere 
and  ever,  we  may  be  preseiwed  in  body  and  soul,  through  om' 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.    Amen. 

^  Then  the  Bishop  shall  bless  them,  saying  thus : 

The  blessing  of  God  Almighty,  the  Father,  the  Sox,  and  the 

Holy  Ghost,  be   upon   you,  and   remain  with  you  for  ever. 

Ameti. 

T  And  there  shall  none  be  admitted  to  the  Holy  Communion,  nntil  such 
time  as  he  be  confii-med,  or  be  ready  and  desirous  to  be  confirmed. 


IXTRODUCTION. 


In  the  Offices  for  the  Ministration  of  Baptism,  in 
the  Catechism,  and  in  The  Order  of  Confirmation^ 
certain  persons  are  mentioned,  and  yariously  desig- 
nated as  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  Sponsors, 
Sureties,  and  Witnesses, — titles,  which,  from  their 
Tery  signification,  imply  some  important  relation  to 
certain  other  parties  with  whom  they  are  connected. 
Thus,  as  will  hereafter  appear,  they  are  called 
"  Sponsors,  because,  in  Infant  Baptism,  they  respond 
or  answer  for  the  baptized.  They  are  Sureties,  in 
"virtue  of  the  security  given  to  the  Church,  that  the 
baptized  shall  be  virtuously  brought  up  to  lead  a 
godly  and  a  Christian  life.  And,  from  the  spiritual 
affinity  here  created,  by  which  a  responsibihty  al- 
most parental  is  undertaken  by  the  Sm-eties,  in  the 
future  training  of  the  baptized,  the  terms  Godfather 


38  INTRODUCTION. 

and  Godmother  have  taken  their  rise."*  They  are 
also  called  Witnesses,  in  the  ease  of  Adults,  as 
witnessing  their  Baptism,  and  pledged  to  remind 
them  of  the  steps  now  taken  by  them,  as  also  of  the 
duties  following  thereafter. 

The  relation  thus  implied  is  entered  upon  actually, 
at  the  ministration  of  Baptism  ;  and  even  a  cursory 
examination  of  those  parts  of  the  Prayer  Book  in 
which  it  is  presented  to  our  notice,  shows  that  this 
connection  between  the  parties  is  most  intimate  ; 
that  the  duties  springing  therefrom  are  most  im- 
portant ;  that,  therefore,  they  should  not  be  lightly 
assumed  ;  and  that,  being  assumed,  they  should  be 
faithfully  performed  :  for,  they  respect  the  salvation 
of  the  children  of  God. 

Whatsoever,  in  any  way,  affects  this — whether  to 
hinder,  or  promote  and  secure  it — must  necessarily 
interest  all,  who  have  their  own  and  others'  salvation 
at  heart,  and  .should  receive  their  serious  attention, 
and  their  earnest  care.  Especially  should  this  be  the 
feeling  and  practice  of  all  who  have,  or  may,  become 

*  Staunton's  Cliurch  Dictionary. 


INTRODUCTION".  39" 

Sponsors.  They  should  know  their  duty  and  do  it, 
undertaking  the  same  in  the  fear  of  God,  Who  will 
most  certainly  bring  upon  them  an  awful  judgment, 
if  they  do  not  (at  least  aim  to)  meet  their  respon- 
sibility in  this  matter. 

For  the  instruction,  therefore,  of  all  who  are,  or 
contemplate  becoming,  Sponsors,  has  the  present 
Manual  been  prepared,  in  the  hope  that  it  may  con- 
tribute to  the  removal  of  ignorance  or  neglect; 
encourage  and  excite  to  the  faithful  performance  of 
what,  on  this  head,  the  Church  has  seen  fit  to 
appoint  and  require,  for  the  edification  of  Her 
children.  With  this  object  in  view,  accordingly,  it 
is  proposed  now  to  notice  at  some  length  the  w^hole 
subject  of  Sponsorial  duties,  whatsoever  seems  neces- 
sary to  an  elucidation  of  the  history  and  design  of 
the  Sponsorial  office  being  connected  therewith. 

And  since,  as  has  already  been  remarked  in  ad- 
vance, the  Sponsorial  relation  to  the  baptized  begins 
with  their  Baptism,  when — as  we  shall  see  hereafter 
— certain  renunciations,  vows  and  promises  are  made, 
and  certain  subsequent  duties  enjoined,  the  perform- 


40  INTRODUCTION. 

ance  of  wliicli  is  to  continue  for  a  certain  period  of 
time,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  notice — also  at 
some  length — the  subject  of  Baptism,  including  some 
account  of  its  origin  among  the  Jews,  its  adoption 
by  our  Lord,  and  its  ministration  in  the  Christian 
Church. 


%  ^auual  for  ^oiiMrs. 


PAET    I. 

I.  — JEWISH    BAPTISM. 

1.  When  man  fell,  thus  terminating  the  original 
and  true  covenant  of  works  by  his  failing  to  continue 
in  a  compliance  with  its  terms,  the  covenant  of 
grace  began,  with  the  promise  that  the  seed  of  the 
woman  should  bruise  the  serpent's  head  :  a  promise 
mercifully  made  in  virtue  and  in  anticipation  of  the 
Great  Sacrifice,  consummated  upon  the  cross  by 
Christ,  Who  was  The  Lamb  slain  from  the  found- 
ation of  the  world.*  For,  assuredly,  it  was  an  act 
of  God's  merciful  grace,  that  the  original  penalty 
denounced  against  the  first  transgression  was  so  far 
modified  as  to  give  our  race,  when  it  had  fallen  in 
our  first  parents,  an  opportunity  for  regaining  Hia 

*  Gen.  iii.l5;  Eev.siii.  8. 
4* 


42  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

favour.  ISTor  was  this  new  covenant  without  a  law 
requiring  man's  obedience;  for,  ''  Enoch  walked  with 
God,"  and  so  "pleased  God;"*  as  did  Noah,  who 
was  "  a  preacher  of  righteousness."f  It  also  had 
some  appointed  and  visible  religious  services;  for, 
Abel  oflTered  a  sacrifice,  and  "  a  more  acceptable 
sacrifice  than  Cain."J  With  it  also  were  connected 
influences  of  Divine  Grace;  for,  God's  Spirit  strove 
with  men.§  After  which,  God  brought  in  upon  the 
ungodly  the  flood,  which  ''was  the  Baptism  of  the 
world,  the  iniquity  whereof  was  purged  by  Water, 
and  all  that  was  corrupt  was  buried  in  that  universal 
deluge,  until,  at  last,  in  token  that  the  evil  was 
expiated,  the  Dove  did  rest  upon  the  renewed  face 
of  the  earth,  and  was  the  messenger  of  peace  to 
those  who  were  saved  by  those  waters." || 

2.  As  before  the  deluge  the  descendants  of  Adam 
corrupted  themselves,  so  after  it  the  descendants  of 
Noah  (abusing  the  promise  that  the  earth  should 
not  again  be  destroyed  by  a  flood)  turned  from  the 

*  Gen.  V.  24;  Heb.  xi.  5. 
+  Gen.  vi.  9 ;  2  Pet.  ii.  5. 
t  Gen.  iv.  3-T ;  Heb.  xi.  4. 
§  Gen.  ^i.  3. 

I  Comber,  Brief  Discourse  upon  the  Offices  of  Bfiptism,  Catechism,  and 
•Confirmation.    London,  1677. 


JEWISH   BAPTISM.  43 

Most  High,  and  served  other  gods.*  From  among 
these,  in  order  to  preserve  a  knowledge  of  Himself 
upon  the  earth,  and  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  coming 
of  the  Messiah,  first  promised  to  Eve,  God  chose 
Abram  to  be  the  Father  of  the  Faithful,  the  first  of 
a  pecuhar  people.  "  For  I  know  him,"  said  Gron, 
"  that  he  will  command  his  children  and  his  house- 
hold after  him,  and  they  shall  keep  the  way  of  the 
Lord,  to  do  justice  and  judgment."f  With  him, 
therefore,  God  made  (or  renewed)  a  covenant  ;|  and 
with  his  descendants  through  him,  both  promising 
temporal  blessings,  and  looking  forward  to  the  coming 
of  Christ.  § 

3.  Every  covenant  between  two  contracting  par- 
ties has  a  seal.  Accordingly,  thereby  exhibiting  His 
condescension  towards  fallen  man,  utterly  undone  and 
lost  but  for  the  love  and  mercy  of  the  Most  High, 
which  appeared  in  the  promise  to  our  first  Mother, 
God  instituted  Circumcision  as  the  seal  of  the  cove- 
nant between  Himself  and  Abraham  and  his  descend- 
ants, in  such  a  manner  that  the  uncircumcised  should 

*  Gen.  ix.  9-17;  Josh.  xxiv.  2. 

t  Gen.  xviii.  19. 

X  Gen.  XV.  18. 

§  Gen.  xii.  1-3,  7;  xiii.  I^IT;  xv.  5,  6, 1^-16 ;  xviii.  4-9, 19. 


44  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

be  cut  off  from  his  people,  having  broken  the  cove- 
nant.* Moreover,  as  in  other  covenants  there  are 
mutual  promises,  having  fixed  conditions  of  fulfilment, 
.  so  here  this  covenant  with  Abraham  and  his  de- 
scendants, which  includes  the  Mosaic  Dispensation, 
had  a  law  prescribing  its  conditions.  This  Law  was 
partly  Moral,  partly  Ecclesiastical  or  Kitual.  As 
Moral,  it  was,  for  the  first  time,  formally  given  from 
Mount  Sinai,  after  the  departure  of  the  Hebrews 
from  Egyi3t  for  Canaan;  Moses  having,  by  the  com- 
mand of  God,  first  sanctified  the  people.f  As 
Ecclesiastical  or  Ritual,  with  its  Ministers  and  ser- 
vices, it  was  subsequently  drawn  out  by  Moses  before 
his  death,  and  is  detailed  at  length  in  his  last  four 
Books. 

4.  This  Covenant,  as  it  respected  the  Hebrews, 
was  not,  even  under  the  Mosaic  Dispensation,  so 
exclusive,  but  that  strangers,  "  aliens  from  the  com- 
monwealth of  Israel,"!  could  be  admitted  to  its 
privileges,  being  then  obliged  to  its  obedience. 
Accordingly,  "in  all  ages,"  says  Maimonides,  ''when 

*  Gen.  xvii.  9-14. 

t  Exod.  XX.  1-17;  xix.  10, 14 

X  Epb.  ii.  12. 


JEWISH    BAPTISM.  45 

an  Ethnic  [or  Gentile]  is  willing  to  enter  into  the 
Covenant,  and  gather  himself  under  the  wings  of  the 
majesty  of  God,  and  take  upon  him  the  yoke  of  the 
Law,  he  must  be  circumcised,  and  baptized,  and 
bring  a  sacrifice  ;  or,  if  it  be  a  woman,  be  baptized, 
and  bring  a  sacrifice.  As  it  is  written,*  'As  you  are 
so  shall  the  stranger  be.'  ['  One  ordinance  shall  be 
both  for  you  of  the  congregation,  and  also  for  the  stran- 
ger that  sojourneth  with  you,  an  ordinance  for  ever, 
in  your  generations;  as  ye  are,  so  shall  the  stranger  be 
before  the  Lord.']  How  are  you  ?  By  circumcision 
and  baptism,  and  bringing  of  a  sacrifice.  So  likewise 
the  stranger  (or  proselyte)  through  all  generations; 
by  circumcision  and  baptism,  and  bringing  of  a 
sacrifice.  And  at  this  time,  when  there  is  no  sacri- 
ficing, they  must  be  circumcised  and  baptized  ;  and 
when  the  temple  shall  be  built,  they  are  to  bring  the 
sacrifice,  A  stranger  that  is  circumcised  and  not 
baptized,  or  baptized  and  not  circumcised,  he  is  not 
a  proselyte  till  he  be  both  circumcised  and  baptized, 
and  he  must  be  baptized  in  the  presence  of  three, 
&c."f    Whensoever,  therefore,  a   male  became   a 


*  Numb.  XV.  15. 

t  Wall's  History  of  Infant  Baptism.    Vol.  I.  Introd.    See  also  Esod. 
xii.  4a-49. 


46  MANUAL   FOR    SPONSORS. 

proselyte,  then  these  ceremonies  were  always  observed 
in  his  own  case,  and  that  of  his  male  children  already 
born.  For  females  there  was  baptism  and  a  sacrifice. 
If  a  child  was  fatherless,  it  was  baptized  at  the 
desire  of  the  mother.  We  learn,  moreover,  that  it 
was  the  custom  of  the  Jews  to  circumcise  and  baptize 
servants  that  were  received  from  heathens  into  a 
state  of  servitude,  holding  them  as  proselytes  ;  and 
likewise,  such  infants  as  had  been  exposed  in  the 
fields,  forests,  or  highways,  by  their  heathen  parents, 
as  was  often  the  case;  and  those  whom  they  took 
captive  in  then*  wars,  and  intended  to  bring  up  in 
their  religion.  This  rule,  however,  was  applied  only 
to  proselytes  from  heathenism;  none  of  Hebrew  race 
were  baptized,  it  being  thought  that  the  whole 
Jewish  nation  was  holy,  in  consequence  of  its  sancti- 
fication  previous  to  the  giving  of  the  law.* 

5.  First  adding,  that  the  Jews  called  the  Baptism 
of  such  persons — as  are  above  mentioned — their 
''  new  birth,"  "  regeneration,"  or  "  being  born  again/' 
we  have  now  these  facts  ; 

1.  That  those  of  Hebrew  race  were  simply  circum- 
cised. 

*  Wall,  Introd.    Exod.  six.  6, 10, 14. 


John's  baptism.  47 

2.  That  to  all  others  becoming  proselytes,  Baptism 
was  also  administered. 

3.  That  infants  were  admitted  into  the  Covenant. 


II.  — JOHN'S   BAPTISM. 

Baptism,  as  is  evident,  was  no  new  thing  to  the 
Jews,  when  John  Baptist  appeared,  administering  it. 
Indeed,  "some  of  their  Rabbins  had  said  of  old, 
That,  in  the  days  of  the  Messiah,  there  would  be  so 
many  converts  that  they  should  be  forced  to  baptize 
them,  because  it  would  be  impossible  to  circumcise 
them  all."  This  supposition  explains  the  question 
put  to  John,  "  Why  baptizest  thou  then,  if  thou  be 
not  that  Christ,  nor  Elias,  nor  that  Prophet?'"^  For, 
as  they  had  been  in  the  habit  of  baptizing  such  as 
would  become  proselytes,  they  could  not  understand 
why  John  should  baptize  such  as  were  Jews  already, 
if  he  were  not  more  than  he  appeared,  or  gave  him- 
self out,  to  be. 

But,  as  he  said  to  them,  there  was  a  Greater 
"  among  them  Whom  they  knew  not ;"  "  The  Lamb 
of  God,  Which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world  ;" 

*  Comber,  Com.  Pr.,  Bap.    Jolm  i.  25. 


48  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

Who  would  "  baptize  with  the  Holy  Ghost"  "  and 
with  fire  ;"  Who  must  "  increase" — all  men  coming 
to  Him  —  whilst  John  "must  decrease."*  For, 
This  was  the  Christ.  John's  mission,  therefore,  was 
of  but  temporary  design,  preparatory  to  Christ  and 
His  Kingdom.  John's  Baptism  also  was  only  "  with 
water,"  and  ''unto  repentance" — from  sin  indeed, 
but  as  to  be  exhibited  in  reference  to,  and  in,  the 
Redeemer's  Kingdom  ;  since,  according  to  St.  Paul, 
John  taught  "  the  people,  that  they  should  believe 
on  Him  Which  should  come  after  him,  that  is, 
Christ  Jesus.'^  And,  as  to  his  Baptism,  it  was  to 
cease,  St.  Paul  baptizing  "  in  the  l^ame  of  the  Lord 
Jesus"  certain  ones  who  had  received  it.  l^or,  could 
it  have  been  Christian  Baptism,  or  for  Christians. 
For,  those  whom  the  Apostle  thus  baptized,  "  had 
not  [even]  so  much  as  heard  whether  there  be  any 
Holy  Ghost,"  having  only  been  baptized,  as  ''they 
said,  Unto  John's  Baptism."f 

*  John  i.  26,  29,  83;  Matt.  iii.  11;  John  iii.  26,  30. 
t  Matt.  iii.  11 ;  Acts  xviii.  25 ;  xix.  2-5. 


CHRISTIAN    BAPTISM.  49 

III.  — CHEISTIAN   BAPTISM. 

1.  Its  Institution. 

Baptism,  being  of  easy  observance,  and  its  ob- 
ject as  an  initiatory  rite  having  been  known  to  the 
Jews,  who  styled  it  the  new-birth  or  regeneration — 
as,  our  Lord  gave  Nicodemus  to  understand,  he  who 
was  "  a  Master  of  Israel"  should  have  known* — 
Christ  adopted  it  for  a  Sacrament  of  His  Church, 
formally  instituting  it  for  a  perpetual  ordinance  in 
His  last  commission  to  the  Apostles,  saying,  "  All 
power  is  given  unto  Me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go 
ye,  therefore,  and  teach  [disciple]  all  nations,  bap- 
tizing them  in  the  Name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Sox,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  teaching  them  to 
observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded 
you  :  and  lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world."f 

2.  Its  Necessity. 

1.  Of  Baptism — as  of  the  Lord's  Supper — the 
Church  Catechism  says  that  it  is  "generally  neces- 


*  John  iii.  3,  5,  9,  10. 

t  Matt,  xxviii.  18-20;  also,  Mark  svi,  15,  16. 

3 


50  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

sary  to  salvation,"  /.  e.,  "none  may,  without  hazard 
of  missing  its  peculiar  graces,  refuse  to  use  it,  who 
have  the  opportunity  of  being  partakers  thereof."* 
And  the  same  truth  is  implied  in  the  opening  Ex- 
hortation, and  Prayer,  and  the  Gospel,  of  the  Bap- 
tismal Offices. 

2.  Xow,  the  necessity  there  is  for  ministering  and 
receiving  Baptism,  springs  from  the  principle  which 
makes  obedience  to  any  Divine  command — where 
obedience  is  possible — necessary  to  salvation.  Eor 
that  its  ministration  is  commanded,  appears  both 
from  its  institution  and  the  Apostolic  commission 
already  quoted ;  and  that  its  reception  is  commanded 
also,  appears  from  this  saying  of  om'  Lord,  "  He 
that  belie veth  and  is  baptized  shall  be  saved." f 

3.  Again,  this  necessity  springs  from  the  ends  de- 
signed by  its  Institutor, — which  ends,  under  Divine 
appointment,  cannot  ordinarily  be  attained  other- 
wise. It  is  necessary,  therefore,  "  for  the  remission 
of  sins,"  as  St.  Peter  told  the  Jews  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost  ;J   for  our   regeneration,    and   admission 

*  Bp.  Bro\rneir3  Prayer  Book. 

t  Mark  xvi.  16 ;  also,  Acts  ii.  38 ;  Titus  ili.  5 ;  1  Pet.  lii.  20,  21. 

X  Acts  ii.  3S. 


CHRISTIAN    BAPTISM.  51 

into  the  Oliurch  of  God,  as  our  Lord  said  to  Nico- 
demus.*  Nor  is  this  necessity  taken  away  by  any 
previous — real  or  supposed — descent  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  For,  notwithstanding  Saul's  conversion,  and 
even  supposing  that  any  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
hira  preceded  his  baptism,  he  was  nevertheless  bid- 
den to  "  be  ))aptized,  and  wash  away  his  sins,  calling 
on  the  Name  of  the  LoRD."f  So,  likewise,  Cornelius 
and  his  company  were  baptized,  although  the  Holy 
Ghost  had  already  fallen  upon  them.  J 

3.  Infant  Baptism  lawful  and  necessary. 
Having  spoken  of  Baptism,  its  institution  and 
uses,  we  come,  next,  to  consider  its  subjects  ;  and, 
as  there  is  no  doubt  concerning  its  general  lawfulness 
and  necessity  in  the  case  of  Adults, — i.  e.,  where 
Baptism  is  administered  at  all, — we  will  now  notice 
these  points  in  their  reference  to  Infants. 

1.  We  have  already  seen  that  Infants  were  ad- 
mitted into  the  Covenant  of  God,  as  made  with 
Abraham,  and  as  systematized  by  the  Mosaic  Law 

*  John  iii.  8,  5,  7. 

t  Actsix.  17;  xxii.  16. 

X  Acts  X.  44-48.  But  who  does  not  see  that  this  was  designed  as  a 
token  to  Peter  that  he  should  have  them  baptized,  though  they  were 
Gentiles  ? 


52  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

and  Ritual — those  of  Jewish  parents,  by  circum- 
cision ;  those  of  heathens,  so  remaining,  or  born  to 
them  before  they  themselves  became  proselytes,  by 
circumcision,  baptism,  and  a  sacrifice.  But,  this 
Covenant, — in  other  words,  the  Church  of  God — 
although  existing  under  (at  least)  two  Dispensa- 
tions, is  one.  For,  according  to  St.  Paul,  the  be- 
lieving Gentiles  are  branches  of  a  wild  olive,  grafted 
in  upon  the  good  olive  tree,  from  which  the  natural 
branches,  the  unbelievinor  Jews,  are  broken  off  for 
their  unbelief.*  Yery  naturally,  we  find  many  points 
of  resemblance — answering  to  each  other — in  the 
Church  of,  or  under,  the  Christian  and  Jewish  Dis- 
pensations, respectively: — Bishops,  Priests,  and  Dea- 
cons of  the  Christian  Ministry,  to  High  Priests, 
Priests  and  Levites;  the  Eucharist  to  the  Passover; 
and  Baptism  to  Circumcision, — Christ's  one  Sacrifice 
having  fulfilled  all  that  the  Jewish  sacrifices  foresha- 
dowed. But,  it  is  equally  natural  to  look  for  a  like  re- 
semblance, in  respect  of  the  persons  now  to  be  admit- 
ted into  the  Covenant — into  the  Christian  Church  ; 
and  that  by  Baptism,  taking  the  place  of  Circum- 
cision or  succeeding  it.  Moreover,  it  would  have 
seemed  strange  and   unnatural  to  the  Jews,  that 

*  Kom.  xi.  13-24. 


CHRISTIAN    BAPTISM.  53 

their  children  should  be  excluded  when  they  them- 
selves were  admitted,  the  Christian  Church  and  Dis- 
pensation thus  becoming  less  comprehensive  than  the 
Jewish  ;  and  especially  after  that,  in  reply  to  their 
question,  "  Men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do  ?" 
St.  Peter  had  said,  "  Repent,  and  be  baptized  every 
one  of  you,  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall 
receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  for,  the  promise 
is  unto  you  and  to  your  children  ;"*  nay,  this  rejec- 
tion of  their  children  would  have  excited  a  strong 
prejudice  in  their  minds  against  Christianity,  and 
have  been  a  great  obstacle  to  their  conversion.  They, 
therefore,  who  hold  Infant  Baptism  to  be,  not  ac- 
cording to  Christ's  appointment,  but  a  corruption  or 
abuse,  although  practised  by  Christians  generally 
and  for  centuries  without  dispute  ;  and  who,  conse- 
quently, set  up  for  Reformers  of  the  Church,  are 
bound  to  show  where  it  is  forbidden.  For,  such  was 
the  course  pursued  by  the  Anglican  Reformers  when 
correcting  the  Romish  abuses,  superadded  to  the 
Catholic  faith  and  practice  ;  as  it  is  pursued  by  all 
who  set  out  to  reform  any  supposed  or  alleged  or 
real  corruption,  abuse,  or  vice  whatsoever. f     There 

*  Acts  ii.  38. 

+  Adams'  Mercy  for  Babes,  Ch.  III.  Pt.  I,  pp.  36-45. 

5* 


54  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

are,  it  is  true,  no  specified  cases  of  Infant  Baptism, 
in  the  New  Testament  Scriptures.  Nor  is  this  to  be 
expected,  the  first  converts  from  Judaism  and  Hea- 
thenism naturally  being  adults.  But  we  may  believe 
that  the  Jewish  converts  would — and  did — bring 
their  children  with  them  to  Baptism,  still  following 
the  custom  of  their  fathers  in  the  case  of  proselytes ; 
and  what  was  most  hkely  their  own,  when  they  came 
to  John  the  Baptist,  supposing  him  to  be  the  Christ. 
And  where,  in  either  case,  is  there  any  prohibition 
of  such  belief  ?  However,  that  Infant  Baptism  was 
practised  early,  before  the  death  of  the  Apostle, 
John,  is  evident  from  the  primitive  writers  of  the 
Church  ;  and  their  statements  are  a  sufficient  as  well 
as  satisfactory  explanation,  to  what  parties  Baptism 
was  designed  to  be  administered.  Such,  accordingly, 
being  the  conclusion  reached  in  respect  of  Infant 
Baptism,  and  the  reasons  for  it,  the  members  of  the 
Church  may  the  more  readily  assent  to  the  interpre- 
tation put  upon  the  Gospel,  in  the  public  Baptismal 
Service  for  Infants,  even  by  its  introduction  as  part 
of  said  service,  and  comply,  "  nothing  doubting,"  with 
the  exhortation  which  follows,  in  every  respect  there 
set  forth. 


CHRISTIAN   BAPTISM.  55 

4.  Infant  Baptisyn  necessary. 

1.  It  is  necessary,  as  appointed  for  the  remission 
of  original  sin,  in  infants.  Wherefore,  as  St.  Cyprian 
says,  "If  even  to  the  most  grievous  offenders,  and 
who  had  before  sinned  much  against  God,  when  they 
afterward  beheve,  remission  of  sins  is  granted,  and 
no  one  is  debarred  from  Baptism  and  Grace,  how 
much  more  ought  not  an  infant  to  be  debarred,  who, 
being  newly  born,  has  in  no  way  sinned,  except  that 
being  born  after  Adam  in  the  flesh,  he  has  by  his 
first  birth  contracted  the  contagion  of  the  old  death ; 
who  is,  on  this  very  account,  more  easily  admitted 
to  receive  remission  of  sins,  in  that  not  his  own  but 
another's  sins  are  remitted  to  him."* 

2.  Again,  it  is  necessary,  because  there  is  no  other 
mode  appointed  for  the  regeneration  of  infants;  for, 
"  being  by  nature  born  in  sin,  and  the  children  of 
wrath,  they  are  hereby  made  the  children  of  grace."f 

3.  It  is  further  necessary,  because  there  is  no 
other  mode  appointed  for  their  admission  into  the 
Church,  wherewith  remission  of  sins  and  regeneration 

*  Ep.  Ixiv.  5.    Oxford,  J.  H.  Parker,  1844. 
t  Catechism,  Quest  18,  Ans 


56  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

are  connected, — this  of  our  Lord,  "  Except  a  man 
[one,  or  any  one]  be  born  of  Water  and  ef  the 
Spirit,  he  can  not  enter  mto  the  Kingdom  of  God," 
including  infants.* 

4.  It  is  necessary,  finally,  because  they  can  not 
otherwise  have  a  title  to  the  promises  made  to  the 
Church,  which  is  the  Body  of  Christ,  the  Kingdom 
of  God,  and,  of  which,  being  made  members,  they  are 
also  made  members  of  Christ,  children  of  God,  and 
inheritors  of  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven. f 

5.  The  Offices  for  the  3Iinistration  of  Baptism. 

Turning  to  these  Offices,  which,  as  members  of  the 
Church,  we  are  bound  to  accept  as  teaching  what 
the  Church  beheves,  we  there  find  a  confirmation  of 
the  preceding  remarks. 

1.  (1.)  In  the  Office  for  the  ministration  of  Bap- 
tism to  infants,  and  which,  following  a  correct  inter- 
pretation of  the  Kubric,  is  "to  be  used  in  the 
Church"  only,  we  are  besought,  as  "  all  men  are 
conceived  and  born  in  sin,  and  our  Saviour  Christ 
saith,  None  can  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God, 

*  John  iii.  5. 

t  Catechism,  Quest.  2,  Ans. 


CHRISTIAN    BAPTISM.  57 

except  lie  be  regenerate  and  born  anew  of  water  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  "  to  call  npon  God  the  Father," 
that  He  would  "  grant  to  this  child  that  which  by- 
nature  he  can  not  have ;  that  he  may  be  baptized 
with  water  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  received  into 
Christ's  Holy  Church,  and  made  a  living  member  of 
the  same."  (2.)  In  the  first  prayer,  after  a  state- 
ment of  the  fact  that,  by  Christ's  Baptism,  God  did 
"  sanctify  [the  element  of]  water  to  the  mystical 
washing  away  of  sin,"  we  beseech  Him  to  "merci- 
fully look  upon  thiH  child ;  to  wash  /wm  and  sanctify 
him  with  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  he,  being  delivered 
from  wrath,  may  be  received  into  the  ark  of  Christ's 
Church,"  where  we  learn  that  the  mystical  washing 
and  deliverance  from  wrath  are  connected  with  his 
reception  into  the  Church.  (3.)  In  the  second 
prayer,  "  we  call  upon  God  for  this  infant,  that  he, 
coming  to  holy  Baptism,  may  receive  remission  of 
sin  by  spiritual  regeneration."  (4.)  So  again,  in  the 
thanksgiving  after  the  Exhortation  upon  the  Gospel, 
we  pray,  ''Give  Thy  Holy  Spirit  to  this  infant,  that 
he  may  be  born  again,  and  be  made  aii  heir  of  ever- 
lasting salvation.'"^  (5.)  And  in  the  last  prayer 
before  the  baptism,  we  pray  for  the  sanctification  of 

*  See  2(1  Ans.  Catechism. 


58  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

"  THIS  water  to  the  mystical  washing  away  of  sin," 
and  that  "  this  child  now  to  be  baptized  therein  may 
receive  the  fulness  of  grace,  and  ever  remain  [where 
he  is  now  to  be  placed]  in  the  number  of  Thy  faith- 
ful children."  (6.)  After  the  baptism,  the  baptized 
chihl  is  declared  "regenerate  and  grafted  into  the 
Body  of  Christ's  Church;"  and  (7)  we  heartily 
thank  God,  "  that  it  hath  pleased  Him  to  regenerate 
this  infant  with  His  Holy  Spirit,"  &c. 

And,  that  (8)  these  effects — as  summed  up  in  the 
idea  of  regeneration,  not  including  that  of  perse- 
verance— are  supposed  by  the  Church  to  be  connected 
with  the  Baptism  ministered,  and  not  dependent  on 
any  spiritual  instrumentality  or  efficacy  of  preceding 
vows,  promises,  or  professions,  would  seem  to  appear 
from  the  Office  for  Private  Baptism,  according  to 
which,  immediately  after  the  baptism,  and  no  ques- 
tions having  been  asked,  no  vows,  promises,  or  pro- 
fessions made,  the  same  thanksgiving  is  offered,  as 
just  noticed  ;  that  is,  for  this  ijifanfs  regeneration 
by  the  Holy  Spirit,  his  adoption  as  God's  child,  and 
his  incorporation  into  God's  holy  Chm*ch.*  Then, 
at  the  certification,  which  is  to  follow,  "  if  the  child 
after   this   sort  baptized  do   afterwards  live,"  the 

*  See  page  14. 


CHRISTIAN   BAPTISM.  59 

second  Rubric  orders  the  Minister  to  "receive  Idrn 
as  one  of  the  flock  of  true  Christian  people,"  as 
having  been  duly  baptized,  and  being  "now  by- 
Bap  tism  incorporated  into  the  Christian  Church: 
for,"  says  this  certification,  "  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
doth  not  deny  His  grace  and  mercy  to  such  infants," 
&c.  Accordingly,  in  the  Exhortation  upon  the 
Gospel,  the  Sponsors  are  now  told,  not  to  doubt  that 
Christ  "hath  likewise  favourably  received  this 
present  infant;  that  He  hath  embraced  inm  with 
the  arms  of  His  mercy;  and,  as  He  hath  promised 
in  His  holy  word,  will  give  unto  him  the  blessing 
of  eternal  life,  and  make  Am  partaker  of  His  ever- 
lasting kingdom."  That  is,  again,  we  learn  first, 
what  took  place  at  the  Baptism;  and  secondly,  what 
encouragement  there  is  for  Sponsors  undertaking  for 
the  child,  as  set  forth  in  the  remaining  portions  of 
this  Supplementary  Ofi&ce,  which  have  regard  to  the 
training  and  life  of  the  child  heretofore  baptized  and 
already  regenerate.  According  to  the  English  form 
of  certification,  the  child  is  spoken  of  as  "  now,  by 
the  laver  of  regeneration  in  Baptism,  received  into 
the  numl)er  of  the  children  of  God  and  heirs  of  ever- 
lasting life." 


60  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

2.  Turning  to  the  Office  for  Adult  Baptism,  we 
find  that  similar  remarks  apply  to  adults  baptized, 
except  that  (1)  according  to  the  opening  Rubrics, 
they  shall  be  examined  ''  whether  they  be  sufficiently 
instructed  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion," 
and  "  exhorted  to  prepare  themselves,  with  prayers 
and  fasting,  for  the  receiving  of  this  holy  Sacrament;" 
that  (2)  "they  shall  be  found  fit;"  that  faith  and 
repentance  are  presupposed  in  them,  as  bringing 
them  to  Baptism,  and  preparing  them  for  it.  For, 
in  the  Exhortation  upon  the  Gospel,  the  people 
present  are  told,  ''Doubt  ye  not,  but  earnestly 
believe  that  God  will  favourably  receive  these  present 
persons^  (3)  truly  repenting  and  coming  to  Him  by 
faith;"  and  "that  (4)  He  will  grant  them  remission 
of  sins,  and  (5)  bestow  upon  tJiem  the  Holy  Ghost," 
After  which,  we  pray,  (6)  "  Give  Thy  Holy  Spirit 
to  these  persons^  that  they  may  be  born  again,  and 
be  made  heirs  of  everlasting  salvation;  whilst  (t) 
after  the  Baptism,  they  are  declared  "  regenerate," 
and  (8)  in  the  final  prayer  are  spoken  of  as  "  being 
now  born  a^-ain." 


CHRISTIAN    BAPTISM,  61 

6.  Concluding  Remarks. 

From  all  that  precedes,  we  have  reason  to  con- 
clude that,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Church,  since  all 
men  are  conceived  and  born  in  sin,  and  therefore 
need  something  which,  by  nature,  they  can  not  have, 
and  wherefore  by  Divine  appointment  they  must 
come  or  be  brought  to  Baptism,  "  they  that  receive 
Baptism  rightly  are  grafted  into  the  Church  ;  the 
promises  of  the  forgiveness  of  sin  and  of  our  adoption 
to  be  the  sons  of  God  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  are 
visibly  signed  and  sealed  ;  faith  is  confirmed  and 
grace  increased  by  virtue  of  prayer  unto  God,"  as 
says  the  XXYII.  article. 

From  this  conclusion,  however,  some  who  are 
baptized  may  infer,  and  some,  who  dissent  from  the 
aforesaid  conclusion,  actually  charge  us  "v^ith  holding. 
That  the  baptized  must  necessarily  be  saved.  The 
inference  is  wrong,  and  the  charge  unjust.  For,  not 
only  does  Scripture  warn  Christians,  the  baptized,  to 
make  this  *'  their  calling  and  election  sure,"  and  to 
''  work  out  their  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling"* 
— thus  implying,  and  elsewhere  directly  te  aching,  f 
that  the  baptized  may  lose  their  inheritance  ;  but, 

*  2  Pet.  i.  10;  Phil.  ii.  12.  t  Heb.  vi.  4-6. 

6 


62  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

the  Church  also,  therefore,  implies  and  repeats  this 
warning  throughout  all  her  Offices,  especially  in 
those  appointed  for  the  ministration  of  Baptism. 
For,  in  the  case  of  Infant  Baptism,  we  pray,  in  the 
first  prayer,  (1)  that  the  baptized  child,  "being 
steadfast  in  faith,  joyful  through  hope,  and  rooted  in 
charity,  may  so  pass  through  the  waves  of  this 
troublesome  world,  that  finally  he  may  come  to  the 
land  of  everlasting  life  ;"  in  the  second,  (2)  "  that  he 
MAY  enjoy  the  everlasting  benediction  of  God's  heav- 
enly washing,  and  may  come  to  the  eternal  kingdom 
which  He  hath  promised  by  Christ  our  Lord  ;"  in 
the  last  before  Baptism,  (3)  that  he  may ''ever 
remain  in  the  number  of  His  faithful  children." 
Again,  (4)  "  We  sign  him  with  the  sign  of  the  cross, 
in  token  that  hereafter — ^following  his  Baptism — he 
shall  not  be  ashamed  *  *  to  continue  Christ^s 
faithful  soldier  and  servant  unto  his  life's  end."  Then 

(5)  we  are  taught  to  "  make  our  prayers  unto  GrOD, 
that  this  child  may  lead  the  rest  of  his  life  according 
to  this  beginning  ;"  and  concluding  with  the  prayer, 

(6)  "that  he,  being  dead  unto  sin,  and  living  unto 
righteousness,  and  being  buried  with  Christ  in  His 
death,  may  crucify  the  old  man,  and  utterly  abolish 
the  whole  body  of  sin,  and  that  as  he  is  made  par- 


CHRISTIAN    BAPTISM.  63 

taker  of  the  death  of  God's  Son,  he  may  also  be 
partaker  of  His  resurrection  ;  so  that,  finally,  with 
the  residue  of  God's  holy  Church,  he  jiay  be  an 
inheritor  of  His  everlasting  kingdom.'^ 

The  Office  for  Adult  Baptism  speaks  in  like  man- 
ner, to  quote  only  the  following  from  the  final 
prayer  :  "  Give  Thy  Holy  Spirit  to  these  2^ersons ; 
that  being  now  born  again,  and  made  heirs  of  ever- 
lasting salvation  *  *  they  may  continue  Thy 
servants,  and  attain  Thy  promises."*  The  Church 
does  not,  indeed,  speak  directly,  in  these  Offices,  of 
the  possibility  of  losing  the  promises  and  eternal 
life  ;  and  apparently  for  this  reason,  that,  whilst  such 
possibility  is  implied,  She  would  direct  the  chief 
attention  of  the  baptized  to  their  blessings  and 
privileges,  rather  than  to  the  loss  of  them  ;  would 
now  rather  have  them  look  forward  to  what  is  yet  to 
be  done  and  attained,  than  look  back  to  the  wrath 
from  which  they  have  so  far  escaped  ;  would  excite 
them  to  the  "  love"  which  ''  casteth  out  fear,"  and 
not  renew  the  "fear"  which  "hath  torment."f  At 
the  same  time,  however,  we  are  taught  to  pray  that 

*  See  Exhortations  to  the  sponsors  and  to  the  baptized,  respectively, 
in  the  two  Offices,  Also  Catechism,  Ans.  4,  9,  and  last.  Articles  Ix., 
xvi.,  XXV. 

t  1  John  iv.  18. 


64  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

*'we  finally  lose  not  the  things  eternal,"  and  "fail 
not  finally  to  attain  the  heavenly  promises,"  in  the 
Collects  for  the  4th  and  13th  Snnday  after  Trinity. 

But  one  remark  more,  pointing  at  some  possible 
objections,  and  this  part  of  our  subject  will  be  con- 
cluded. Observe,  then,  that  hitherto  the  attempt 
has  been  made  to  state  affirmatively  the  law  of  our 
regeneration,  and  as  connected  with  Baptism;  not 
the  possil)le  exceptions  under  that  law,  and  with 
which  we  have  nothing  to  do.  For,  the  remarks  of 
the  present  Manual  are  strictly  addressed  to  such  as 
are  members  of  the  Church,  having,  or  having  had, 
every  opportunity  of  being  duly  baptized  ;  and  who, 
therefore,  come  strictly  under  the  rule.  Equally 
natural  is  it  that  the  subject  of  "  renovation"  should 
not  have  been  noticed  ;  although,  to  obviate  discus- 
sion, the  following  prayers  shall  be  quoted  :  "  Al- 
mighty God,  ^  *  grant  that  we,  being  regenerate 
and  made  Thy  children  by  adoption  and  grace,  may 
daily  be  renewed  by  Thy  Holy  Spirit."  Again, 
"  Grant  us  the  true  circumcision  of  the  Spirit,  that, 
our  hearts  and  all  our  members  being  mortified  from 
all  worldly  and  carnal  lusts,  we  may  in  all  things 
obey  Thy  blessed  will."  As  see  the  Collects  for 
Christmas  Day,  and  the  Festival  of  the  Circumcision. 


CHRISTIAN    BAPTISM.  65 

And,  would  we  but  attentively  examine  the  Collects, 
indeed  the  whole  Prayer  Book,  we  must  see  how 
little  room  there  is  for  many  popular  objections, 
which  originate  in  the  confounding  of  one  doctrine 
with  another, 

6* 


PART    II. 

I.— THE  NECESSITY  OF  CHRISTIAN  INSTRUCTION. 

Baptism  being  "generally  necessary  to  salvation," 
and  its  effects  such  as  heretofore  stated,  its  minis- 
tration and  reception  are  in  no  case  to  be  omitted, 
when  there  is  an  opportunity  for  both.  And  neither 
its  necessity  nor  its  beneficial  effects  are  ignored  by 
a  plausible  and  too  common  objection,  which  tends 
to  do  away  with  all  Baptism  whatsoever.  The  ob- 
jection is  imphed  in  the  following  question  :  "  '  How 
comes  it  to  pass  that  so  many  children  do  afterward 
fall  off  to  all  impurity  V  I  answer,  so  do  too  many 
grown  persons  also  ;  and  neither  infants  nor  men  are 
so  regenerated  in  this  life  as  absolutely  to  extinguish 
the  concupiscence  :  for,  the  flesh  will  still  lust  against 
the  Spirit  ;  but  then  God  gives  the  Spirit  also  to 
lust  against  the  flesh.*  He  leaves  the  corruption, 
to  try  and  exercise  us  ;  but  so  that  He  engageth  to 
enable  us  to  get  the  better  through  this  new  nature 
implanted  in  us,  if  we  will  improve  it,  and  follow  the 
dictates  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ;   but  by  neglect,  or 

*  Gal.  V.  17. 


NECESSITY    OF    CHRISTIAN    INSTRUCTION.  67 

wilful  complying  with  the  flesh,  we  may  lose  this 
grace  again.  Our  gracious  Father  hath  already 
done  His  part,  and  will  do  it  more  and  more,  as  the 
child  shall  be  capable  and  willing  to  receive  it;  and 
if  this  seems  strange  to  any  whose  opinions  are  taken 
up  from  later  definitions  of  regeneration,  let  them 
dispute  with  holy  Cyiman,  (not  with  me,)  who 
saith,  'The  grace  of  God  is  equally  distributed  in 
Baptism,  but  it  may  either  be  diminished  or  increased 
afterward,  by  our  acts  and  conversation/  The  sum 
is.  That  Baptism  doth  seal  a  pardon  to  us  for  all 
former  transgressions,  and  begets  us  again  to  the 
hope  of  eternal  life  ;  that  it  restores  us  to  the  favour 
of  God,  and  gives  us  a  new  relation  to  Him  ;  and, 
finally,  it  heals  our  nature  by  the  Spirit  hereby  con- 
veyed to  us  :  and,  though  all  this  be  on  condition  of 
our  keeping  our  part  of  the  covenant,  yet  that  makes 
not  God's  mercy  less,  nor  ought  it  to  diminish  any 
of  our  praises,  but  only  it  must  make  our  prayers  at 
present  more  earnest,  and  the  child's  care  hereafter 
more  strict,  to  make  this  '  its  caUing  and  election 
sure.'  "*  As  then  we  pray  for  the  baptized,  infants 
and  adults,  "  that  they  may  lead  the  rest  of  their  life 
according  to  this  beginning,"  adults  being  exhorted, 

*  Comber,  p.  435. 


68  MANUAL   FOR    SPONSORS. 

and  infants  requiring  to  be  nurtured,  accordingly,  in 
order  that  being  "  partakers  of  the  Divine  nature," 
they  may  grow  up  into  "perfect  men  in  Christ  ;"* 
and,  as  infants  especially  must  needs  be  trained  to 
do,  as  well  as  taught  to  know,  their  duty  in  this 
regard,  some  one,  or  more,  must  undertake  this 
office.  In  a  general  way,  it  belongs  to  the  Church, 
but  has  been,  and  is,  necessarily  assigned  by  Her  to 
certain  persons  who  shall  act  as  Her  ministers  or 
subordinates  in  this  matter.  Hence,  the  Sponsorial 
Office,  and  whatsoever  appertains  thereto. 


II.  — THE  SPONSOEIAL  OFFICE. 
1.  Its  History. 
1.  Points  of  resemblance  between  the  Jewish  and 
the  Christian  Chm'ch  have  already  been  mentioned, 
together  with  certain  Baptisms  ministered  in  the 
former  under  certain  circumstances,  as  in  the  case 
of  adult  proselytes,  of  infants  exposed  by  their 
heathen  parents,  and  the  like.f  Kow,  when  such 
persons  or  infants  were  to  be  received  into  the  com- 

*  2  Pet.  i.  4;  Col.  i.  23w 
t  Pages  45,  46. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  Oil 

munion  of  the  Church,  as  Jews,  and  trained  accord- 
ingly ;  and  when,  according  to  custom,  they  were 
received  with  Baptism,  Circumcision,  and  a  Sacrifice ; 
as,  moreover,  the  Mosaic  Law  strictly  enjoined  that 
its  statutes  and  judgments  should  be  taught,  espe- 
cially to  the  young,*  ''  infants  not  being  able  to 
profess  for  themselves,  were  baptized,  at  the  request 
of  the  father  if  living,  and  of  the  mother,  if  the  father 
were  dead,  upon  the  profession  of  the  house  of 
judgment  (or  court)  ;  that  is,  the  three  men  have 
the  care  of  the  Baptism,  according  to  the  law  of  the 
Baptism  of  proselytes,  which  requires  three  men, 
who  do  so  become  to  the  infants  a  father.  All 
males  under  thirteen  years  and  a  day,  and  all  females 
under  twelve  years  and  a  day,  were  considered 
minors  or  infants,  unable  to  profess  for  themselves, 
and  were  baptized  as  just  stated."f 

The  Court,  or  House  of  Judgment,  therefore,  stood 
to  the  baptized,  in  a  relation,  similar  to  that  of  our 
Sponsors  ;  whilst  some  also  suppose  that  the  Wit- 
nesses, at  the  naming  of  Isaiah's  son,  were  of  this 
character.! 


*  Deut.  vi.  7;  xi.  19 ;  Ps.  ixviii.  2-T. 
+  Wall,  Hist.  Inf.  Bap.  In  trod.  §  iii. 
%  Isaiah  viii.  2, 


70  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

Kow,  '^tlie  Jews,"  Joseplius  tells  us,  "were  also 
above  all  things  careful  that  their  children  might  be 
instructed  in  the  Law  ;  to  which  end  they  had  in 
every  village  a  person  called  the  Instructor  of 
Babes,  (to  which  St.  Paul  seems  to  allude,)  whose 
business  it  was  to  teach  children  the  Law  till  they 
were  ten  years  of  age,  and  from  thence  till  they  were 
fifteen,  to  instruct  them  in  the  Talmud.  Grotius 
tells  us,  that  at  thirteen  they  were  brought  to  the 
house  of  God,  in  order  to  be  publicly  examined  ; 
and,  being  approved,  were  then  declared  to  be 
Children  of  the  Precept,  i.  e.^  they  were  obliged  to 
keep  the  Law,  and  were  from  thenceforth  answerable 
for  their  own  sins."=^  Thus  much  as  respects  the 
Jews  and  Jewish  proselytes. 

2.  Passing  on  to  the  Church  of  the  Christian 
Dispensation,  as  parents  are  the  natural  guardians 
of  their  children,  we  find  that  St.  Paul,  when 
enumerating  the  duties  of  the  members  of  the  Church 
towards  each  other,  says  to  "  Fathers,  provoke  not 
your  children  to  wrath  ;  but  bring  them  up  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,"f  the  necessity 

*  Wheatlcy  on  Com.  Prayer,  Ch.  viii.  (Joseph.  Antiq.  Bk.  4,  c.  8 ; 
Kom.  ii.  20.) 
t  Eph.  vi.  4. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  71 

of  tlieir  religions  training  being  implied.  And, 
assuredly,  it  must  have  been  strange  if  now  there 
had  been  less  provision  for  the  instruction  of  Chris- 
tian, than  there  was  formerly  for  that  of  Jewish, 
children. 

3.  But,  as  parents  might  neglect  their  duty,  as 
children  might  be  without  parents  who  could  or 
would  perform  it ;  as,  for  example,  in  the  case  of 
those  exposed  on  the  highways  by  the  heathen;  the 
Christian  Church  likewise  took  order  respecting  this 
matter,  and  appointed  that  certain  persons,  whether 
parents  or  others,  should  stand  in  the  relation  of 
Sponsors  to  the  baptized,  and  see  to  their  religious 
training.  According  to  Bingham,  "  there  were  three 
sorts  of  Sponsors  made  use  of  in  the  primitive 
Church  :  1.  For  children  who  could  not  renounce, 
or  profess,  or  answer  for  themselves.  2.  For  such 
adult  persons,  as  by  reason  of  sickness  or  infirmity, 
were  in  the  same  condition  with  children  incapacita- 
ted to  answer  for  themselves.  3.  For  all  adult 
persons  in  general.  For,  the  Church  required  Spon- 
sors also  for  those  who  were  otherwise  qualified  to 
make  their  own  responses." 

Next,  we  may  remark  that,  whilst  the  ancient 


72  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

canons  varied  somewhat  as  to  particulars,  yet  it 
seems  to  have  been  a  very  general  rule  ''  to  have  but 
one  Sponsor  for  each  individual  ;  a  man — a  Dea- 
con— for  a  man  ;  a  woman — a  Deaconess — ^for  a 
woman  ;  but,  parents — if  they  would  act  for  their 
children  ;  masters,  for  their  slaves  ;  the  holy  virgins 
for  children  exposed  ;  and  charitable  persons  (prob- 
ably of  either  sex)  for  children  whose  parents  were 
dead." 

Then,  as  for  the  duties  of  Sponsors,  these — as 
respecting  infants — were,  (1)  "to  answer  in  their 
names  at  Baptism,  and  (2)  not  only  by  example, 
but  by  word  and  instruction,  to  teach  them  the 
great  duties  of  chastity,  humility,  sobriety,  and 
peace,  forasmuch  as  they  had  answered  in  their 
stead,  that  they  renounced  the  devil,  his  pomps  and 
his  works. — In  the  cases  of  adults  incapacitated  from 
answering  for  themselves, — as  where  persons  intend- 
ing to  be  baptized,  were  taken  ill,  became  frenzied, 
or  speechless,  in  consequence, — responses  were  made 
for  them  as  for  children  ;  and  in  the  event  of  their 
recovery,  the  sponsors  w^re  to  acquaint  them,  as 
witnesses,  with  what  had  been  done  for  them,  and  as 
guardians  of  their  good  behaviour,  to  induce  them  to 
make  good  the  promises,  which  they,  in  their  name. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  73 

had  made  for  them."  And  it  seems  that  such  adults 
as  were  "  too  dull  and  heavy  to  learn,  were  baptized 
with  the  same  formalities  as  children,  whom  they  re- 
sembled."— All  other  adults  answered  for  themselves, 
their  sponsors  being  "curators  and  guardians  of  their 
spiritual  life  ;  and  required  to  take  care  of  their  in- 
struction and  morals,  as  well  before  as  after  Bap- 
tism." 

Finally,  in  ancient  times,  no  persons  were  "  ex- 
cluded from  this  office,  except  catechumens,  energu- 
mens,  heretics,  and  penitents  ;  that  is,  persons  who 
either  were  yet  never  in  full  communion  with  the 
Church,  as  being  themselves  unbaptized  ;  or  else 
such  as  had  forfeited  the  privileges  of  then-  baptism 
and  Church-communion  by  their  errors,  or  crimes,  or 
incapacity  to  assist  others,  who  needed  assistance 
themselves.  And  by  some  canons,  persons  who  were 
never  confirmed,  were  excluded  from  being  sponsors 
both  in  Baptism  and  Confirmation."* 

4.  Passing  on  to  the  times  of  King  Edward  YI., 
in  the  Baptismal  Offices  of  his  Liturgies,  Godfathers 
and  Godmothers  are  named  in  the  Bubrics,  also 
styled  "  sm-eties,"  in  the  exhortation  preceding  the 

*  Bingham's  Christian  Antiquities,  Book  xi,  ch.  viil. 

7 


74  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

answers  made  by  them  in  tlie  name  of  the  children 
to  be  baptized. 

And  in  the  Confirmation  Office  (as  in  the  Cate- 
chism) said  persons  have  the  former  designation,  the 
Rubric  ordering  that,  "  they  (children)  shall  be 
brought  to  the  Bishop  by  one  that  shall  be  his  God- 
father or  Godmother,  that  every  child  may  have  a 
witness  of  his  confirmation."* 

The  Rubric,  just  quoted,  is  still  retained,  in  nearly 
the  same  words,  after  the  Catechism  in  the  present 
Prayer  Book  of  the  Church  of  England,  whilst  in 
the  Office  for  "  the  Ministration  of  Public  Baptism 
of  Infants"  it  is  ordered  that,  "  There  shall  be  for 
every  male  child  to  be  baptized,  two  Godfathers  and 
one  Godmother  ;  and  for  every  female,  one  God- 
father and  two  Godmothers."  The  XXIXth  of  the 
English  Canons,  agreed  upon  in  Synod,  a.  d.  1603, 
moreover,  orders  that,  "  no  parent  shall  be  urged  to 
be  present,  nor  be  admitted  as  godfather  to  his  own 
child  ;  *  *  neither  shall  any  person  be  admitted 
godfather  or  godmother  to  any  child  at  christening 
or  confirmation,  before  the  said  person  so  undertak- 
ing hath  received  the  Holy  Communion." — In  the 
case  of  Adult  Baptism,  the  Office  appointed  simply 

*  Cardwell's  Two  Liturgies  of  Edward  VI.,  pp.  325,  ss.,  and  ^iS. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  75* 

mentions  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  although, 
doubtless,  the  principle  of  the  Rubric  and  Canon 
last  quoted  determines,  what,  and  how  many,  per- 
sons shall  act  in  any  way  as  Sponsors. 

In  the  American  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  the 
Rubrics  of  the  English  Baptismal  Offices  are  in 
effect  repeated,  with  the  following  direction  from  the 
EngUsh  Rubrics  and  Canon,  viz.,  that  there  shall  be 
Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  "  when  they  can  be 
had  ;"  "  and  parents  shall  be  admitted  as  Sponsors, 
if  desired." 

So  that,  here,  the  Rubric  permits  us  to  adopt  one 
of  three  courses,  according  to  circumstances.  1.  To 
have  three  Sponsors  other  than  the  parents, — if  the 
former  "  can  be  had,"  and  the  latter  do  not  desire  to 
"be  admitted  as  Sponsors."*  2.  The  parents  and 
one  other — if  the  former  desire  to  *'be  admitted" 
and  the  latter  "  can  be  had."  3.  The  parents  alone, 
— if  they  desire  to  ''be  admitted,"  and  no  other 
"can  be  had." 

In  the  Office  for  ministering  Baptism  to  Adults, 
Godfathers  and  Godmothers  only — also  styled,  Wit- 
nesses,—are   mentioned  in  the  Rubrics  ;    although 

*  This  would  include  those  cases  also  in  which  parents  are  dead ;  and 
where  they  refuse  to  act,  but  consent  to  others'  acting  in  their  stead. 


76  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

here  also  the  principle  of  the  first  Kubric,  regulating 
this  matter  in  the  case  of  infants,  is  again  supposed 
to  indicate  what,  and  how  many,  persons  shall  act. 

Such,  in  brief,  seems  to  be  the  general  history 
of  the  Sponsorial  Office,  perhaps,  from  the  time 
of  Isaiah  to  the  present  day  ;  so  far  as  that  his- 
tory, in  the  way  of  setting  forth  a  precedent  to  be 
respected  by  us,  bears  upon  the  question  of  its  pre- 
sent lawfulness  and  propriety,  the  various  changes 
that  have  occurred  and  still  appear  in  respect  of  the 
number  and  character  of  Sponsors  being  referable 
to  discipline,  under  which  head,  rather  than  that  of 
doctrine,  the  whole  matter  is  mostly  to  be  con- 
sidered. 

2.  Sponsorial  duties  toioards  Infants  baptized. 

Since  the  duties  of  Godfathers  and  Godmothers 
naturally  differ  according  as  they  stand  for  Infants, 
or  with  Adults,  at  their  Baptism,  to  learn  what 
these  duties  are  from  the  Baptismal  Offices,  we  shall 
be  obliged  to  consider  the  latter  separately.  Nor 
will  it  be  inappropriate,  in  view  of  the  purpose  for 
which  these  remarks  are  presented,  to  address  what 
follows,  more  directly  to  such  as  are,  or  may  be,  in- 
terested in  the  duties  aforesaid.     And  reference  will 


THE    SPONSDRIAL    OFFICE.  77 

be  tad  to  the  cases,  in  which  others  than  parents, 
"  where  they  can  be  had,"  act  as  Sponsors,  parents 
themselves,  when  acting  in  this  character,  being 
considered  as  having  all  the  sponsorial,  superadded 
to  their  otherwise  parental,  duties. 

1.  Having  determined,  then,  thus  to  act,  you  first 
answer  negatively  to  the  question  with  which  the 
ministration  of  Baptism  begins,  ''Hath  this  child 
been  already  baptized  or  no  ?"  thus  enforcing  the 
principle  that,  as  there  is  ''  one  Lord,  one  Faith, 
one  Baptism,"  ''  so,  no  child  ought  to  be  baptized 
twice.  And  both  the  minister  and  congregation 
are  admonished  to  be  very  serious  and  devout  now 
in  behalf  of  the  present  infant,  since  it  can  never 
have  the  like  opportunity  for  its  purification."'^ 

2.  Following  the  exhortation  and  the  prayers, 
you,  as  well  as  the  congregation,  are  taught,  by  the 
Church,  from  the  Gospel  appointed,  that  this  good 
work  of  presenting  and  baptizing  a  child  is  allowed 
of  God  the  Father,  and  of  Christ,  by  being  made  a 
member  of  Whom,  it  is  also  made  ''  a  child  of  God;" 
and  that,  therefore,  you  should  go  on  with  your 
part  of  this  good  work,  ''nothing  doubting."     And,, 

*  Comber.  Epbes.  iv.  5. 

7* 


78  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

although  the  blessings  appointed  to  be  derived  to 
the  child  through  its  Baptism,  are  no  wise  hindered 
or  lessened  by  any  defect  of  faith,  or  of  other  fitness, 
in  you  its  presenters,  you  are  here  encouraged  to 
act  in  full  faith  ;  and  so  doing,  have  reason  to  look 
for  such  blessings  on  yourselves  also  as  will  enable 
you  to  accomplish  what  you  now  undertake  and 
begin. 

3.  God's  part  in  the  covenant,  into  which  the 
child  is  to  be  entered  with  Him  by  Baptism,  having 
been  stated,  you  are  then  called  upon  to  promise  in 
the  child's  name — he  being  unable  to  answer  for 
himself— ihoii  he  will  keep  his  part  of  the  same 
covenant,  on  the  doing  of  which  the  effectual  blessing 
of  God  so  largely  depends  as  respects  his  Christian 
life  and  final  salvation,  viz.  :  that  ^^he  will  renounce 
the  devil  and  all  his  works  ;  the  vain  pomp  and 
glory  of  this  wicked  world,  with  all  covetous  desires 
of  the  same,  and  all  the  sinful  desires  or  lusts  of 
the  flesh  ;  that  he  will  believe  God's  holy  Word,  all 
the  Articles  of  the  Christian  Faith  as  contained  in 
the  Apostles'  Creed  ;  that  he  will  obediently  keep 
God's  holy  will  and  commandments,  and  walk  in 
the   same   all   the   days  of  his  life,"   as   variously 


THE    SPOlSrSORIAL    OFFICE.  79 

expressed  in  the  Exhortation  to  the  Preface  of  the 
covenant,  the  Interrogatories,  and  the  Catechism. 
In  other  words,  Repentance,  Faith,  and  Obedience, 
are  promised  in  his  name.  And  you  are  not  only 
told  that  this  promise  is  requu'ed  of  you,  but  you 
make  it,  before  God  and  the  congregation,  in  the 
most  solemn  manner,  when  you  answer  to  the 
questions  here  put  to  you  by  His  ministers,  of 
whom  St.  Paul  says,  that  they  are  ''ambassadors 
for  Christ  ;  as  though  God  did  beseech  by  them, 
praying  men  in  Christ's  stead  to  be  reconciled  to 
God."* 

4.  All  the  preliminary  steps  to  the  ministration 
of  the  Baptism  have  now  been  taken  ;  and,  as  the 
Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  you  are  next  required 
to  "  name  this  child."  It  was  customary  among  the 
Jews  to  name  a  child  at  his  circumcision  ;  as,  in  the 
case  of  Isaac,  John  the  Baptist,  and  likewise  of 
Jesus.  At  the  institution  of  circumcision,  Abram's 
name  was  changed  to  Abraham,  and  that  of  Sarai 
to  Sarah.  So,  Saul  of  Tarsus,  as  a  Christian,  was 
known  by  the  name  of  Paul.f     Now,  ''this  name 

*  2  Cor.  V.  20. 

t  Gen.  xxi.  2,  3;  Luke  ii.  59,  60;  21 ;  Gen.  xvii.  5, 15;  Acts  xiii  2,  9; 
Wheatley,  ch.  vii.  §  2. 


80  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

(though  it  may  be  privately  resolved  upon  by  the 
relations,  yet  it)  must  be  dictated  by  the  Godfather, 
the  witness  of  the  New  Birth,  the  surety  who 
engageth  the  child  shall  lead  a  new  life  ;  and  then 
solemnly  given  by  the  Minister,  because  he  is  in 
Gtod's  stead,  Who  we  hope  will  give  it  a  new 
nature  also.  "We  derive  one  name  together  with 
original  guilt  from  our  parents,  which  ought  to 
humble  us,  and  mind  us  of  our  being  born  in  sin. 
But,  this  new  name  we  receive  at  our  regeneration 
to  admonish  us  of  our  new  birth,  and  our  heavenly 
kindred.  This  Christian  name  was  given  us  when 
we  were  Hsted  under  Christ's  banner,  and  it  is  a 
badge  that  we  belong  to  God,  so  that  as  often  as 
we  hear  it,  we  should  remember  the  vow  then  made 
in  our  behalf.  The  custom  of  old  was  to  write  the 
soldier's  name  upon  his  shield,  by  which  he  was 
engaged  in  honour  not  to  lose  that  shield,  unless  he 
lost  his  life.  Even  so  hath  God  given  us  our  name 
and  our  faith  together,  so  that,  if  we  apostatize,  our 
name  will  be  our  eternal  infamy.  We  have  a  new 
name  ;  let  us  walk  worthy  of  it  and  lead  a  new  life, 
either  striving  to  make- our  name  exemplary  if  there 
be  no  Saint  of  it,  or  else  labouring  to  be  like  those 
of  our  ancestors  or  of  God's  Saints,  who  have  worn 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  81 

it  worthily  before  us  ;  so  sliall  it  iDe  recorded  not 
only  in  the  Church's  Register,  but  in  the  Book  of 
Life,  and  stand  there  forever."* 

4.  The  Baptism  having  now  been  administered, 
after  appointed  prayers,  there  is  rehearsed  in  few 
words  what  the  baptized  child  "  hath  promised  by 
you  his  sureties,"  and  the  exhortation  proceeds  to 
state  what  are  your  duties  towards  him  from  this 
time  forward.  (1.)  And  first,  you  are  bidden  to 
"remember," — to  bear  in  mind  continually  your 
"  parts  and  duties,"  whilst  they  are  yours  and  until 
they  are  performed  and  completed.  You  are  not 
to  suppose  that  whatsoever  has  hitherto  been  done 
by  you,  when  answering  for  the  child  and  presenting 
him  at  the  font,  is  a  mere  form  involving  no  further 
relations  to  the  baptized,  and  no  obligations.  You 
have  solemnly,  and  before  witness  on  earth  and  in 
Heaven,  of  your  own  free  will,  bound  yourselves  by 
a  vow  from  which  there  is  no  release  until  its  obli- 
gations have  been  met.  You  must  therefore  "re- 
member" what  has  been  done  and  what  there  yet 
remains  to  do.  That  is,  (2.)  "to  see  that  this  in- 
fant be  taught,  so  soon  as  he  shall  be  able  to  learn, 

*  Gen.  XXV.  25;  Euth  iv.  IT;  Luke  i.  59;  Comber. 


82  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

what  a  solemn  vow,  promise  and  profession  he  hatli 
here  made  by  you."  No  matter,  whether  you,  or 
the  parents,  or  others  act  as  teachers,  you  are  to 
see  that  the  child  is  taught,  yourselves  making  con- 
tinual inquiry  into  Ids  progress.  You  are  to  use 
your  utmost  diligence  when  the  duty  of  thus  teach- 
ing falls  upon  you  personally  ;  or,  if  not,  and  parents 
or  others  are  neglectful,  to  admonish  them  of  this 
their  duty,  always  and  in  all  cases  seeing  that  it  be 
done.  And,  it  is  here  believed  that,  were  children 
duly  taught,  not  only  what  is  their  duty  towards 
God  and  His  law,  as  moral  and  accountable  beings, 
but  what  moreover  is  their  covenant  relation,  in 
which  they  already  stand  towards  Him,  instead  of 
being  practically  led  into  the  supposition  that  they 
are  but  as  heathens,  they  would  more  generally  and 
actually  proceed  as  they  began  at  their  Baptism, 
and  with  less  necessity  for  the  marked  change  which 
is  designated  by  the  word,  conversion.  (3.)  This 
understood  then,  as  to  your  duty  generally,  you  are 
to  proceed  ;  and,  "  that  this  child  may  know  the 
better"  what  he  hath  vowed,  promised  and  professed 
at  his  Baptism,  "ye  shall  call  upon  him  to  hear  ser- 
mons." Which,  doubtless,  means  that,  you  shall  see 
to  his  attending  the  services  of  the  Church,  and 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  83 

that  he  hearkens  to  the  instructions  there  given  him 
directly  or  as  one  of  the  congregation,  by  readings 
from  God's  Word*  and  by  "sermons"  so  called.  It 
is  a  great  mistake  to  defer  the  bringing  of  children 
to  church  until  they  reach  that  very  indefinite  age, 
"  when  they  know  how  to  behave,"  as  some  say.  It 
is  hardly  possible  that  they  can  be  brought  too 
young.  A  silent  influence  is  exerted,  and  a  habit 
formed,  which — as  many  who  have  been  accustomed 
to  attend  the  services  of  God's  House  from  their 
earliest  days,  can  testify' — last  in  their  effect  through 
life  ;  and  even  where  unhappily  the  subjects  have 
fallen  far  from  the  strictness  and  regularity  and  rev- 
erence of  their  childhood.  And,  it  is  a  mere  as- 
sumption that,  the  services  and  the  sermon  being 
above  the  comprehension  of  the  very  young,  no  im- 
pression is  made  upon  their  minds  by  the  solemnities 
they  witness,  and  what  they  hear  from  the  desk  and 
pulpit.  They  are  not  such  inattentive  spectators 
and  hearers  as  is  sometimes  supposed.  A  passage 
of  Scripture,  or  a  comment  upon  some  one  of  its 
parables  or  histories,  in  an  ordinary  sermon,  al- 
though not  particularly  addressed  to  them,  is  often 
noticed  ;  and,  if  for  the  present  forgotten,  in  after 

*  Acts  XV.  21. 


84  MANUAL   FOR   SPONSORS. 

years  is  remembered.  Nor  need  we  wait  for  the 
reviving  memories  of  after  years,  if  you  as  Sponsors 
do  your  duty  at  once,  dii'ecting  attention  to  what  is 
uttered,  training  them  up  to  believe  that  they  are 
brought  to  God's  House  to  worship,  to  hear  and  be 
instructed.  The  Clergy  themselves  will  also  bear  in 
mind  that,  of  such  Httle  ones  their  congregations  are 
largely  composed,  and  shape  their  instructions  ac- 
cordingly,— both  those  which  are  given  in  general 
course,  and  those  given  in  comphance  with  the  fol- 
lowing Rubric,  which  Sponsors  are  likewise  to  re- 
member. "  The  Minister  of  every  Parish  shall  upon 
Sundays  and  Holy  Days,  or  upon  some  other  con- 
venient occasions,  openly  in  the  Church,  instruct  or 
examine  as  many  children  of  his  Parish,  sent  unto 
him,  as  he  shall  think  convenient  in  some  part  of 
this  Catechism." 

(4.)  Such  being  the  general  duty  of  insti-uction 
on  the  part  of  Sponsors,  you  are  ''chiefly  to  provide 
that  the  baptized  child  may  learn  the  Creed,  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  all 
other  things  which  a  Christian  ought  to  know  and 
beheve  to  his  soul's  health." — This  learning  of  the 
aforesaid  portions  of  the  Catechism  requires  no  fur- 
ther notice  here  than,  that  it  respects  the  articles 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  85 

of  that  faith  and  obedience  to  which  the  baptized 
are  already  pledged,  and  a  habit  of  prayer — in  our 
Lord's  own  words — for  that  grace  which  alone  can 
produce  and  continue  the  obedience  of  a  living  faith, 
in  even  the  regenerate.  Although  it  may  be  added 
that,  the  objection  to  children's  presence  in  the 
Church,  while  very  young,  on  the  ground  of  their 
not  being  able  to  comprehend  what  they  hear,  must 
apply  here  also  ;  and,  is  sufficiently  answered  by 
saying  that,  if  perfect  comprehension  of  what  is 
taught  from  the  Scriptures  and  the  Formularies  of 
the  Church  is  to  be  the  rule,  adults  as  well  as  chil- 
dren must  be  excluded  :  for,  there  are  many  mys- 
teries connected  with  our  religion  which  can  not  be 
understood,  but  only  known  as  revealed,  and  there- 
fore must  simply  be  believed,  and  practically  ad- 
mitted.— ^You  have  also  to  remember  that  what  the 
baptized  child  is  thus  taught  is  ''for  his  soul's 
health  ;"  so  that,  it  can  not  be  a  matter  of  indiffer- 
ence, in  view  of  this  end,  viz.,  the  present  soundness 
of  the  soul  in  order  to  its  final  salvation,  whether  he 
be  instructed  or  not ;  but,  it  has  been  determined 
that,  there  should  and  shall  be  right  instruction, 
part  whereof,  at  least,  is  included  in  the  Catecheti- 
cal teaching  already  noticed  as  enjoined  upon  you. 


86  MANUAL    ¥0R    SPONSORS. 

And,  indeed,  would  any  but  heartily  adopt  the 
Creed,  sincerely  keep  the  Commandments,  being 
aided  by  that  grace  which,  we  may  well  believe, 
God  will  bestow  in  answer  to  the  prayer  provided 
for  us  by  His  Son  to  be  addressed  to  Him,  we  can 
not  see  how  they  should  come  far  short,  if  at  all,  of 
that  character  and  conduct  which  are  well-pleasing 
in  His  sight. — However,  you  are  not  to  limit  such 
instructions  to  the  particulars  already  named,  but  to 
include  "  all  other  things  which  a  Christian  ought 
to  know  and  believe."  What  then  are  these  other 
things  ?  All  such,  undoubtedly,  as  tend  to  the  edi- 
fication of  the  Christian,  his  growth  in  the  Body  of 
Christ  Who  is  our  example.  And,  as  your  Spon- 
sorial  duties  cease  when  your  spiritual  wards  shall 
have  been  confirmed,  these  "  other  things"  may  be 
supposed  to  include  all  that  is  required  of  the  bap- 
tized previous  to  Confirmation  ;  of  which  more  in 
due  course. 

5.  Should  you  now  conclude  that,  when  the 
Catechism  has  been  learned,  or  is  in  course  of  being 
learned,  by  the  pupil  under  your  directions  or 
instructions,  your  duty  has  been  completely  per- 
formed ;  and  this,  we  fear,  is  too  common  an 
impression,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  Church  in  the 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  87 

estimation  of  many — "remember,"  that  you  have 
still  further  to  "provide" — "that  this  child  may  be 
virtuously  brought  up  to  lead  a  godly  and  a  Chris- 
tian life."  With  the  teaching  of  Creeds,  Command- 
ments, and  the  Hke,  we  have  no  right  whatever  to 
dispense.  That  is  settled.  But,  it  would  be  an 
error  equally  great, — and,  considering  the  case  of 
the  servant  who  knew  his  Lord's  will,  but  did  it  not, 
fraught  with  awful  consequences, — did  Sponsors 
suppose,  and  therefore  convey  the  impression  to 
their  wards,  that  nothing  more  than  the  learning 
heretofore  commended  is  required.  You  are  not, 
therefore,  to  rest  satisfied  with  the  oral  or  other 
instruction  given  as  enjoined.  This  is  to  have  a 
practical  result,  influencing  the  whole  life  of  the 
baptized,  on  earth.  You  are,  consequently,  to 
"provide,"  that  "  this  child  be  virtuously  brought 
up," — ^in  other  words,  that  he  be  trained  up  in  some 
way  in  which  he  ought  to  go,  and  habituated  to 
walk  therein.  Although  it  may,  or  need,  not  be 
doubted  that,  the  very  fact  of  a  Baptism  ministered, 
which  introduces  its  subject  into  the  number  of 
God's  children,  (and,  apart  from  the  spiritual  effects 
of  the  rite  itself,)  gives  hiin  a  covenant  title  to 
blessings  promised  all  such  as  are  baptized — which 


88  MANUAL   FOR    SPONSORS. 

God  is  now  only  the  more  willing  to  confer, — yet 
does  the  spiritual  life  of  the  regenerate,  now  begun, 
require  as  much  nurturing  as  the  natural  life  of 
every  one  born  into  this  world,  and  must  not  be  any 
more  neglected.  The  child  is  not  to  grow  up, 
somehow,  by  chance,  but  to  be  "  brought  up ;" 
which  implies  nurtm'e,  care,  and  guidance, — the 
instruction  given,  showing  what  he  must  do  in  order 
to  a  full  and  mature  spiritual  growth  ;  and  the 
bringing-up  including  such  action.  And,  although 
no  other  can  well  be  supposed  in  this  connection, 
still  the  Church  appoints  that  this  bringing-up  shall 
be  "  virtuous,"  a  requisition  which,  because  of  many 
doubtful  explanations  of  the  word,  virtue,  is  further 
and  more  strictly  defined.  The  child  is  to  "be 
brought  up  to  lead  a  godly  life  ;"  a  "  God-like"  life, 
as  evidencing  that  he  is  "  a  partaker  of  the  Divine 
nature,"  to  become  by  help  thereof  as  "perfect" 
man,  "as  our  Father  in  Heaven  is  perfect"  God. 
And,  that  this  is  not  a  merely  abstract,  unpractical 
perfectness  of  an  invisible  life  within,  there  is  added 
that,  this  "godly"  life  must  be  "Christian"  also. 
The  will  of  man,  made  to  agree  with  the  will  of 
God,  is  then  to  be  exhibited  outwardly  in  action, 
after  Christ's  example,  and  in  obedience   to   His 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  89 

laws  as  these  regulate  the  actions  of  body,  soul  and 
sph'it,  every  duty,  enjoined  as  due  to  God  and  one's 
neighbour,  being  included.  Nor  is  this  all.  But,  the 
baptized  child  is  thus  to  be  brought  up  and  trained, 
*' remembering  always,  that  Baptism  doth  represent 
unto  us  our  profession"  therein  made  ;  "  which  is, 
to  follow  the  example  of  our  Saviour  Christ,  and  to 
be  made  like  unto  Him  ;  that  as — on  the  one  hand 
— He  died  and  rose  again  for  us,  so — 'On  the  other 
— should  we,  who  are  baptized,  die  from  sin,  and 
rise  again  unto  righteousness  ;"  which  death  from 
sin  is  exhibited  effectually  by  our  "continually 
mortifying  all  our  evil  and  corrupt  affections  ;"  as  is 
the  rising  again  unto  righteousness,  by  our  ''  daily 
proceeding  in  all  virtue  and  godliness  of  living." 
All  this  is  what  the  child  is  to  be  taught  to  remem- 
ber through  instructions  given  as  to  the  nature  of 
that  Baptism  which  he  has  received,  and  of  the 
religious  profession  he  therein,  even  if  unconsciously, 
made,  and  to  be  exemplified  in  a  life  consistent 
therewith. 

6.  The  foregoing  Exhortation  ended,  as  stating 

the  duties  obligatory  upon  Sponsors  for   children, 

there  is  added  one  other  direction,  as  follows,     "  Ye 
8* 


90  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

are  to  take  care  that  ifiis  child  be  brought  to  the 
Bishop  to  be  confirmed  by  him,  so  soon  as  he  can 
say  the  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten 
Commandments,  and  is  sufficiently  instructed  in  the 
other  parts  of  the  Church  Catechism  set  forth  for 
that  purpose." 

Is'ow,  as  these  "  other  parts"  include  explanations 
of  the  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments, and  the  Sacraments,  as  of  faith  and 
repentance  previous  to  or  following  upon  the  recep- 
tion of  the  latter,  the  ability  to  "  say  the  Creed,  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Commandments,"  does  not 
determine  the  time  for  Confirmation  ;  for,  the  ad- 
ditional and  "  sufficient  instruction"  would  still  be 
wanting.  Has  this,  then,  been  given  when  the  child 
can  "  say"  the  whole  Catechism  ? 

In  reply  to  this  question,  it  might  be  answered 
that,  no  such  child  with  such  preparation,  which 
may  be  attained  at  a  very  early  age,  would  be 
allowed  to  make  the  Baptismal  vows  for  himself 
without  Sponsors  ;  and  how,  then,  these  same  vows 
as  renewed  in  Confirmation  ? 

Again,  were  this  latter  rite,  as  administered,  only 
a  means  of  grace,  through  prayer  and  imposition  of 
hands  of  the  Bishop,  and  not  also  a  covenanting  act 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  91 

on  the  part  of  those  confirmed  who  now  renew  their 
vows,  its  ministration  might  follow  immediately  upon 
that  of  Baptism,  if  the  Bishop  were  present  ;  and 
in  such  case,  the  Church  would  doubtless  have  still 
provided  for  Sponsors  at  Confirmation  ;  whereas,  in 
this  country,  there  is  no  such  provision,  every  person 
confirmed  answering  for  himself,  without  either 
Sponsor  or  Witness.  Otherwise,  it  is  probable  that 
another  peculiarity  of  the  Confirmation  Office,  as 
given  in  King  Edward's  Liturgies,  would  have  been 
retained  ;  that  is,  the  rite  would  partake  more  of 
the  nature  of  a  benediction,  no  question  being  put 
to  the  parties  confirmed  at  the  time  of  their  Con- 
firmation. 

But,  in  the  Preface  to  "  Confirmation,  wherein  is 
contained  a  Catechism  for  children,"  as  set  forth  in 
even  the  above  Liturgies,  we  read  concerning  this 
rite  that,  ''it  is  most  meet  to  be  ministered  when 
children  come  to  that  age,  that  partly  by  the  frailty 
of  their  own  flesh,  partly  by  the  assaults  of  the 
world  and  the  devil,  they  begin  to  be  in  danger  to 
fall  into  sin,"  or  ''into  sundry  kinds  of  sin."  And 
this  undoubtedly  points  at  a  later  period  of  their 
lives  than  that  referred  to  in  the  Rubrical  admoni- 
tion to  "  the  People,  that  they  defer  not  the  Baptism 


92  MANUAL   FOR    SPONSORS. 

of  theii'  children  longer  than  the  first  or  second  Sun- 
day next  after  their  birth,  or  other  Holy  Day  falling 
between,  unless  upon  great  and  reasonable  cause," — 
as  given  in  the  opening  Rubric  of  the  Private  Bap- 
tismal Office,  in  our  Prayer  Book.  Such  later  pe- 
riod is  still  further  designated  in  the  following  sec- 
tion of  the  Preface  above  quoted.  After  stating 
the  same  preliminaries  to  Confirmation  as  are  con- 
tained in  the  final  direction  to  Sponsors  among  us, 
''this  order  is"  pronounced  "most  convenient  to  be 
observed,  for  divers  considerations.  First,  because 
that  when  children  come  to  years  of  discretion 
and  have  learned  what  their  godfathers  and  god- 
mothers promised  for  them  in  baptism,  they  may  then 
themselves,  with  their  own  mouth,  and  with  their 
own  consent,  openly  before  the  chm*ch,  ratify  and 
confess  (or,  confirm,)  the  same;  and  also  promise, 
that  by  the  grace  of  God  they  will  evermore  en- 
deavour themselves  faithfully  to  observe  and  keep 
such  things  as  they  by  their  own  mouth  and  con- 
fession have  assented  unto."*  This  agrees,  almost 
literally,  with  the  Preface  of  our  own  Confirmation 
Office.     And  now,   is  there   not   something  more 

*  CardweU's  Liturgies,  p.  344.    Note  also  that,  in  these,  the  Catechism 
ends  with  the  explanation  of  the  Lobd's  Prayer. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE. 


93 


implied  than  the  mere  ability  to  "  say"  the  Cate- 
chism ? 

Further  still,  children  baptized  in  infancy,  and 
adults,  are  confirmed  according  to  the  same  Order 
of  Confirmation,  answering  together  the  same  ques- 
tion, at  the  same  time.  Wherefore,  it  is  to  be  in- 
ferred that  in  the  cases  of  both  there  should  be 
similar  fitness  for  the  rite  ;  that,  children  should 
have  so  learned  the  Catechism  as  that  they  can 
intelligently  renew  or  confirm  their  Baptismal  vows; 
that,  when  after  due  instruction  they  are  "brought 
to  the  Bishop,"  yet  are  they  to  come  as  voluntarily 
as  they  "consent"  and  "assent"  to  the  "confession" 
now  made  ;  in  fine,  that,  their  moral  fitness,  result- 
ing from  the  instruction  and  training  for  which,  at 
their  Baptism,  their  Sponsors  are  exhorted  to  pro- 
vide, must,  as  it  is  likely  to,  be  apparent.  And 
does  not  this  imply  sufficient  preparation  for  their 
admission  to  the  Lord's  Supper  ? 

Finally,  without  determining  what  number  of 
years  amount  to  "a  competent  age"  and  "  years 
of  discretion" — although,  from  analogy  in  the  case 
of  our  Lord  and  of  Jewish  customs  in  a  similar 
matter,  we  might  infer  the  proper  age  to  be  included 
between  twelve  and  perhaps  fifteen, — Sponsors  have 


94  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

not  the  final  decision  to  make.  It  is  enough  for 
them  to  know  what,  at  the  least,  is  expected  of 
them,  whilst  all  should  be  wilhng  to  do  the  most. 
And  their  duties  terminate  when  the  following  Ru- 
bric, after  the  Catechism,  is  carried  into  effect. 
"  Whensoeyer  the  Bishop  shall  give  knowledge  for 
children  to  be  brought  unto  him  for  their  Confirma- 
tion, the  Minister  of  every  parish  shall  either  bring, 
or  send  in  writing,  with  his  hand  subscribed  there- 
unto, the  names  of  all  such  persons  within  his  parish, 
as  he  shall  think  Jit  to  be  presented  to  the  Bishop  to 
be  confirmed." 

3.  Duties  of  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  towards  persotis 
baptized  at  adult  age. 

The  principal  points  to  be  noticed  here  are  con- 
tained in  the  Exhortation  to  the  Godfathers  and 
Godmothers,  after  the  Baptism,  the  essential  differ- 
ence from  what  is  done  in  the  case  of  infants,  being 
that,  here  the  Candidates  answer  for  themselves, 
and  are  chiefly  addressed  in  the  exhortations  of 
the  Baptismal  office.  What  follows,  however,  is 
addressed  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers, — 
also,  in  view  of  their  duties,  called  Witnesses. 

"  Forasmuch  as  these  persons  have  promised,  in 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  95 

your  presence,  to  renounce  the  devil  and  all  his 
works,  to  beheve  in  God  and  to  serve  Him  ;  je 
must  remember  that  it  is  your  part  and  duty  to  put 
them  in  mind,  what  a  solemn  vow,  promise,  and  pro- 
fession, they  have  now  made  before  this  congrega- 
tion, and  especially  before  you  their  chosen  witnesses. 
And  ye  are  also  to  call  upon  them  to  use  all  dili- 
gence to  be  rightly  instructed  in  God's  holy  word  ; 
that  so  they  may  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  om'  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ;  and  Hve  godly, 
righteously,  and  soberly,  in  this  present  world." 

This  can  scarcely  require  any  explanation,  al- 
though the  following  summary  may  be  useful.  1. 
The  Baptism  of  these  persons,  with  its  accompanying 
solemnities,  takes  place  "  in  your  presence,"  "  before 
this  congregation,"  "and  before  you  their  chosen 
witnesses."  2.  As  such  "  witnesses,"  you  are  "  to 
put  them  in  mind,"  impressing  upon  tliern  the  fact 
and  nature  of  this  their  profession.  3.  You  are  to 
exhort  them  to  diligence,  in  acquiring  the  "  knowl- 
edge" which  "maketh  wise,"  and  is  "  the  power  of 
God,  unto  salvation,"  and  in  leading  godly,  right- 
eous, and  sober  lives. 


96  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

4.   Qualifications  of  Godfathers  and  Godmothers. 

1.  As  (strictly)  Sponsors,  or  Sureties  in  the  case 
of  Infants. 

The  qualifications  of  Sponsors,  in  general,  as  ruled 
in  the  Primitive  Church,  and  by  the  present  law  of 
the  Church  of  England,  have  already  been  stated.* 
Wherefore,  having  reference  to  the  latter,  since — 
according  to  the  Preface  of  our  Book  of  Common 
Prayer — "  this  [the  Protestant  Episcopal]  Church 
is  far  from  intending  to  depart  from  the  Church  of 
England  in  any  essential  point  of  doctrine,  discipline, 
or  worship  ;  or  further  than  local  circumstances  re- 
quire," the  fair  inference  would  seem  to  be  that,  in 
"this  Church"  also,  no  person  should  be  admitted 
Sponsor  before  he  "hath  received  the  Holy  Com- 
munion." Apart,  however,  from  this  inferential  con- 
clusion, it  is  not  remembered  that  there  is,  among 
us,  any  Rubric  or  Canon  regulating  the  point  now 
under  notice.  Although,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place, 
here,  to  suggest  the  propriety  and,  in  many  respects, 
the  necessity  of  some  determination  upon  the  subject 
by  the  Church,  and  as  relieving  the  Clergy  from  an 
embarrassing  position  as  to  discipline.     For,  it  is 

*  See  §  3,  pp.  71-73,  and  §  4,  p.  73,  74 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  97 

supposed  that,  the  reception  and  the  rejection  of 
any  persons  as  Sponsors,  at  least  when  called  in 
question,  are  left  to  their  discretion,  and  controlled 
simply  by  custom,  which,  in  the  intention  of  the 
Church,  should  be  according  to  Anglican,  and  then 
to  Primitive,  law.  For,  in  no  other  way  can  we 
determine  that  Sponsors  must  have  been  even  bap- 
tized. As,  however,  it  is  not  intended  to  discuss 
Clerical  prerogatives  in  this  connection,  we  will  ap- 
proach the  subject  from  another  side,  and  endeavour 
to  state  certain  qualifications,  without  which  none 
should,  in  conscience,  either  wish  or  ventm'e  to  act 
in  the  Sponsorial  capacity. 

1.  If  the  nature,  effects,  and  necessity  of  Baptism, 
with  the  obligations  resting,  in  consequence  of  it, 
upon  its  subjects,  be  such  as  heretofore  stated;  if, 
moreover,  the  baptized  need  actual  instruction  in 
whatsoever  "a  Christian  ought  to  know  and  believe 
to  his  soul's  health,"  and  such  training  as  shall,  or 
most  likely  will,  result  in  "  a  Godly  and  Christian 
life,"  lest  their  Baptism  become  to  them  worse  than 
vain,  how  can  you  offer  yourselves  as  their  Sponsors, 
without  having  formed  the  conscientious  determina- 
tion— as  God  shall  help  you  by  His  grace — to  do 
your  whole  duty  ?     Can  you  become  Godfathers  and 


98  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

Godmothers,  and  yet  leave  these  your  spiritual  chil- 
dren, without  nurture,  untaught  and  untrained  ? 
Are  you  their  Sureties,  answering  for  their  future 
faith  and  obedience,  and  yet,  in  fact,  careless,  whe- 
ther they  shall  have  the  one  or  exhibit  the  other, 
and,  whether  they  are  making  any  progress  towards 
such  a  result,  as  they  grow  in  years  and  knowledge  ? 
Can  you  forget  that  you  are  yourselves  under  a  vow, 
whith,  being  carelessly  and  voluntarily  broken,  must 
bring  after  it  fearful  consequences  to  you  and  them; 
but,  being  kept,  will  bring  down  blessings  upon  them 
and  you,  in  time  and  for  eternity  ?  Consider,  that 
your  selection  by  parents,  as  Sponsors  for  their  chil- 
dren, is  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  mere  matter  of 
"compliment;"'  or,  if  so  in  any  sense  or  degree,  as 
a  "  compliment"  to  your  Christian  characters,  and 
known  fidelity  to  any  trust  committed  to  your  care. 
Nor  suppose  that,  your  presenting  a  child  at  the 
font  is  a  form,  involving  nothing  further  than  the 
gift  of  a  name,  an  ornament,  a  cup,  or  a  dress, — and 
this  has  only  too  often  been  supposed.  Let  your 
Godchild  be  your  "name-child"  and  "  name-sake,"  if 
you  will,  but  see  to  it  first  that  your  own  name,  as 
borne  by  you,  be  such  as  he  ought,  and  will  be  de- 
lighted, being  able,  to  honour.     Let  hun  also,  and 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  99 

first,  be  taught  to  wear  ''  the  ornament  of  a  meek 
and  quiet  spirit,  which  is,  in  the  sight  of  God,  of 
great  price."  And  so  lead  him  on,  as  that  he  shall 
determine,  ''  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call 
upon  the  Jsl'ame  of  the  Lord."  And,  give  him  your 
fortunes,  if  you  like,  but  not  before,  as  his  Sponsors, 
you  have  taught  him  to  ''  use  this  world  as  not 
abusing  it."* 

Evidently,  then,  the  first  qualification,  of  which 
you  should  be  conscious  to  yourselves,  before  you 
enter  upon  the  Sponsorial  relation  towards  any  child^ 
is  the  resolution  to  take  care  that  he  be  rightly  in- 
structed and  "  virtuously  brought  up."  So  that, 
knowing  his  renunciations,  vows  and  promises  at  the 
font,  he  may  keep,  and  keep  to,  them,  all  Ins  days. 
Contingencies  there  may  be,  and  unforeseen,  which 
may  withdraw  him  from  your  neighbourhood  and  its 
influence.  This  you  can  not  always  control.  But, 
you  can  ordinarily  determine  that,  you  will  not  take 
so  solemn  vows,  in  another's  stead  and  behalf,  unless 
it  be  previously  understood  that,  as  opportunity 
offers,  you  are  to  have  the  privilege  of  keeping 
them.  And,  considering  that  the  earlier  impres- 
sions are  made,  the  deeper  and  more  lasting  they 

*  See  p.  T9.    1  Pet.  ill.  4;  Ps.  cxvi.  13 ;  1  Cor,  vii.  31. 


100  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

become,  you  will  do  well  to  urge  upon  parents  who 
are  likely  to  call  upon  you,  that  they  defer  not  the 
Baptism  of  their  children,  thereby  adding,  most 
probably,  to  the  difficulties  of  your  office.*  Mean- 
while, no  doubt,  there  is  always  occasion  for  great 
prudence  and  discretion  on  your  part,  (and  for  the 
exercise  of  which  rules  can  not  well  be  given,)  lest 
you  infringe  upon  the  rights  and  duties,  by  Divine 
law,  belonging  to  parents  as  regards  their  children. 
Xor,  wlulst  in  such  case  exhortation  and  remon- 
strance may  become  all  that  you  can  offer,  can  any 
errors  and  even  vices  in  parents,  set  aside  the  paren- 
tal character,  or  release  children  from  the  obligation 
to  filial  reverence  and  obedience,  always  and  in  all 
respects  ;  provided,  that  no  violation  of  God's  laws 
be  enjoined  upon  them.  In  that  case,  God  is  to  be 
obeyed  rather  than  man,  even  though  the  latter  be  a 
parent. 

(2.)  Again,  assuming  that  Baptism  is  such  in  na- 
tm'e  and  importance  as  has  heretofore  been  stated  ; 
further,  that  the  baptized  child  shall  be  "  taught 
what  a  solemn  vow,  promise  and  profession  he  hath 
here  made  by  you,"  and  such  ''  other  things  as  a 
Christian  ought  to  know  and  beheve  to  his  soul's 

*  See  page  91. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  101 

health" — you  and  he  "  remembering  always  that 
Baptism  doth  represent  unto  us  our  profession/' — 
your  next  qualification  would  seem  to  be  such  suffi- 
cient knowledge  on  your  part  as  will  enable  you  to 
intelUgently  keep  your  vow.  That  is,  knowledge,  in 
its  broadest  Scriptural  sense,  as  including  right  in- 
formation respectmg  doctrines  which  you  both  should, 
and  (apparently)  do,  believe  ;  and  again,  as  includ- 
ing an  actual  experience  of  what  you  teach,  in  those 
respects  wherein  this  is  a  matter  of  experience.  Do 
not  suppose  that,  any  one  is  altogether  fit,  in  virtue 
of  a  general  good  character,  to  be  a  Sponsor,  if 
after  all  he  is  ignorant  of  the  rudiments  of  the 
Christian  Faith,  needing  himself  to  be  taught  "  which 
be  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of  God,"  "  the 
principles  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  *  *  *  repent- 
ance from  dead  works,  faith  towards  God,  the  doc- 
trine of  baptism,  and  of  laying  on  of  hands,  and  of 
resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  of  eternal  judgment." 
And  even  if  ''  for  the  time  [that  you  have  been 
learners]  you  ought  to  be  [fit  for]  teachers,"  how  can 
you  be  so,  in  your  still  remaining  ignorance  ?  Would 
you  have  your  Lord  say  to  you,  as  He  said  to  Nico- 

demus,  "  Art  thou  a  Master  of  Israel,  and  knowest 
9* 


102  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

not  these  things  ?"*  If  then,  so  much  depends 
upon  your  instructions,  do  not  attempt,  unprepared, 
to  give  them.  For,  see,  to  what  errors  in  the  Faith, 
and  the  Christian  hfe,  may  you  not  contribute  ! 
Learn,  and  know,  therefore,  what  you  are  to  teach, 
as  this  has  been  set  for  you  by  the  Church,  accord- 
ing to  Her  discipKne,  endeavouring  at  least  to  be  in 
advance  of  those  under  your  spiritual  guardianship. 
But,  there  is  a  further  knowledge,  besides  this  of 
faith  in  what  is  set  before  you  through  the  discipline 
of  the  Church,  as  according  to  God's  Word ; — that 
of  experience  become  yours,  because  you  have  acted 
upon  the  principle,  "  If  any  man  will  do  God's  will, 
he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine."f  For,  as  we  may 
believe  that  God  will  impart  information  to  a  rightly 
disposed  will,  so  must  an  obedient  faith  know,  by 
experience,  the  reality  of  truth  revealed  and  re- 
ceived. And  this  applies  to  you  as  having  your- 
selves been  admitted  to  Baptism,  Confirmation,  and 
the  Holy  Communion.  And,  it  is  a  question  which 
you  will  do  well  to  put.  Whether,  whilst  knowledge 
in  the  first  sense  may  suffice  for  your  giving  informcU' 
Hon,  as  Catechists,  or  Teachers  in  Sunday  Schools 

*  Heb.  V.  12;  vi.  1,  2;  John  iii.  10. 
t  John  vii.  17. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  103 

for  example,  it  ought  not  to  include  the  latter  sense, 
in  order  to  your  true  fitness  for  giving  that  instruc- 
tion which  is  expected  from  you  as  Sponsors  ? 

(3.)  Grouping  the  above  three  Rites  together, 
therefore, — two  of  them  Sacraments,  and  all  of  them 
according  to  Christ's  Gospel, — how  can  you,  in  strict- 
ness of  letter  or  spirit,  and  with  effect,  say  to  your 
Godchildren,  that  they  are  bound  to  act  upon  these 
His  words,  ''If  ye  love  Me,  keep  My  command- 
ments,"* unless  you  keep  them  also  ?  True,  no  un- 
baptized  person  is  admitted  Sponsor,  as  reason  there 
is.  But  then,  can  any  say  that  there  is  any  more 
reason  for  so  admitting  one  who  looks  upon  Baptism 
as  only  a  form  ;  or,  makes  light  of  its  blessings; 
neither  uses  the  privileges  to  which  it  introduces 
him  ;  nor  regards  the  obligations  of  the  profession 
therein  made  ?  Let  that  pass,  however.  And  now, 
can  any  tell  why,  being  unconfirmed,  and  non-com- 
municants, you  should  become  Sponsors  for  those, 
whom  you  are  to  aid  in  preparing  themselves  for 
Confirmation  and  the  Holy  Communion  ?  the  one, 
according  to  the  evident  intention  of  the  Church, 
being  but  a  step  to  the  other. 

You  might,  indeed,  plead  to  them  your  own  pres- 

*  1  John  xiv.  15. 


104  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

ent  want  of  fitness  here,  which  you  are  endeavouring 
to  remedy.  And  this  evident  endeavour  in  you 
might  do  something  to  encourage  them  to  make  it 
lilcewise.  Still,  if  you,  baptized,  older  in  years,  bet- 
ter informed,  and  alledging  the  wish  to  do  your  duty, 
nevertheless  make  such  a  plea,  must  not  they  be 
tempted  to  ask,  "  How  then  can  we  be  prepared  for 
such  solemn  rites  ?"  "  If  you  have  failed,  how  can 
we  hope  to  succeed  ?"  Undoubtedly,  there  are  per- 
sons who  are  honestly  scrupulous  as  to  their  own  fit- 
ness for  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  whose  cases  require 
a  delicate  and  forbearing  consideration,  until  they 
are  brought  to  see  that,  not  this  Sacrament,  but 
Heaven,  is  the  end  of  a  Christian  hfe  ;  that,  it  is  a 
means  to  such  a  life,  in  order  to  attaining  Heaven  ; 
and  that,  they  are  the  very  ones  who,  it  would  seem, 
should  scruple  least  to  exhibit  a  full  obedience  to 
cm*  Blessed  Lord.  And  yet,  such  persons  sometimes 
become  Sponsors.  But,  will  they  venture  upon  a 
responsibihty  in  others'  behalf,  from  which  they 
shrink,  in  theu'  own  ?  Or,  would  they  train  these 
up  into  their  own  defective  exhibition  of  love  for  our 
Master  ?     They  promise  to  do  more,  as  Sponsors. 

The  case,  however,  becomes  much  worse,  if  you 
come  forward  in  this   character,  being   indifferent 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  105 

about  Sacraments,  and  religious  rites  appointed  of 
God,  and  speaking  of  them  in  a  trifling,  or  injurious 
manner.  You  lead  those,  whom  you  have  promised 
to  guide  into  better  things,  into  your  own  errors,  to 
use  no  harsher  terms.  Such  is  the  natural  conse- 
quence. Are  you  then,  prepared  thus  to  perjure 
yourselves,  and  to  bring  your  wards  up,  into  a  con- 
tempt for  Divine  Institutions  ?  You  may  aver,  it  is 
true — although  with  but  little  grace  as  thus  coming 
from  you — that,  God's  law  requires  something  more 
than  the  reception  of  ordinances.  It  does  so  require. 
It  is  a  pious  remark.  But,  among  all  the  require- 
ments of  that  law,  ritual  and  moral,  is  it  for  you 
above  all,  or  for  any  one,  to  say,  "  This  should  be 
done;  that  may  be  left  undone  ?"  Observe  also  that 
it  is  not  merely  what  is  thus  done  but  its  spirit,  to 
which  objection  is  here  made.  For,  it  is  a  spirit 
which,  in  the  end,  and  if  encouraged,  respects  noth- 
ing sacred. 

It  is  not  intended,  here,  to  set  forth,  as  with 
authority,  that  none  but  communicants  shall  become 
Sponsors.  But,  it  is  for  all  those  who  contemplate 
becoming,  or  are,  such,  to  inquire  whether,  except  as 
themselves  in  full  communion  with  the  Church,  at- 
tached to  Her  doctrine  and  discipline,  they  are  the 


106  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

ones  wlioni  the  Church  would  wish  to  answer  for, 
and  instruct,  Her  children,  the  infant  "members  of 
Christ  ?"  Nor,  is  it  denied  that  there  may  be,  or 
are,  persons,  even  unbaptized,  who,  in  temper,  gen- 
eral disposition  and  character,  are  better  fitted  for 
Sponsors  than  some  who  are  but  formal,  or  too 
thoughtless  communicants.  But,  evidently,  in  at- 
tempting to  define  rules  we  can  not  avail  ourselves 
of  possible  exceptions. 

(4.)  Once  more.  Having  determined  that  you  will 
aim  to  do  your  duty  faithfully  ;  knowing  the  points 
wherein  it  consists  ;  and,  as  may  now  be  assumed, 
being  yourselves  baptized,  confirmed,  and  communi- 
cants, there  only  remains  to  add,  what  has  thus  been 
implied,  that,  having  taught  the  principles,  you 
should  also  exhibit  the  example,  of  "  godly  and 
Christian  lives,"  "  daily  proceeding  in  all  virtue  and 
godliness  of  living."  Look  at  the  several  particulars 
of  "the  vow,  promise,  and  profession"  which  chil- 
dren make  "  by  you,"  and  there  is  not  one  thereof 
in  regard  to  which  you  are  not  to  take  the  lead,  in 
their  sight.  If  they  are  to  do  their  duty  to  God 
and  their  neighbours,  remember  your  own.  Do  not 
expect  that  they  will  be  disposed  to  regularly  "  hear 
sermons,"   if  you  never,   or  but  irregularly,   hear 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE,  107 

them  ;  and  this,  but  to  find  fault,  instead  of  calling 
attention  to  what  is  worth  remembering.  And,  it 
must  be  a  strange  service  indeed,  largely  taken  as 
every  part  of  our  Liturgy  is  from  Scripture,  and  a 
sermon  as  strange,  if  it  has  a  text,  in  which  there  is 
nothing  to  commend  to  notice,  and  nothing  to  pro- 
mote the  cultivation  of  some  Christian  virtue.*  Or, 
if  you  but  act  out  your  ignorance,  these  your  scholars 
will  not  be  induced  thereby,  or  enabled,  to  "  learn" 
all  that  "  a  Christian  ought  to  know  and  believe." 
And,  if  your  lives  are  neither  "  virtuous"  nor  "  god- 
ly ;"  if  they  are  those  of  mere  worldlings,  immersed 
in  this  world's  pleasures,  follies,  and  even  business — 
all  which  God  forbid  !  yet,  if  it  be  so,  as  it  may — 
do  not  wonder  if  you  find  them  apt  imitators,  who 
may  outstrip  you  far  in  a  sinful  race.  They  will  al- 
ways have  enough  of  evil  examples  about  them  to 
turn  them  aside  from  the  way  of  holiness,  through 
the  temptations  addressed  to  their  depraved  hearts. 
For,  it  is  not  supposed  that  in  virtue  of  their  Bap- 

*  See  page  82,  §  4,  (3.) 

"  The  worst  speaks  something  good :  if  all  want  sense, 
God  takes  a  text,  and  preacheth  patience." 

And, 
"  He  that  gets  patience,  and  the  blessing  which 
Preachers  conclude  with,  hath  not  lost  his  pains." 

Geo.  Hekbekt's  Temple.    The  Chttrch  Porch, 


108  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

tism,  "all  sinful  affections"  have  at  once  "died"  with- 
in them  ;  but,  prayer  is  made  in  their  behalf  that, 
being  now  placed  in  a  state  of  grace,  all  such  "  affec- 
tions MAY  die  in  them,  and  that  all  things  belonging 
to  the  Spirit  may  live  and  grow  in  them,"*  And 
now,  with  how  much  more  force  must  an  ill  example 
address  itself  to  them,  as  set  by  you,  with  whom 
they  must  feel  themselves  bound,  if  they  are  taught 
to  know  anything  about  it,  by  a  more  than  usually 
interesting  and  tender  tie  ;  one,  only  less  intimate 
and  endearing  than  that  which  binds  them  to  their 
parents. 

There  is  still  one  other  case  to  suppose,  in  which 
still  less  should  you  take  advantage  of  present  de- 
fectiveness in  the  Church's  law,  if  such  there  be,  to 
present  yourselves  to  the  Church,  in  this  character  ; 
and  either  compelling  the  Clergy  to  accept  you 
therein,  or  to  exhibit  their  supreme  attachment  for 
what  must  be  right  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  to  take 
the  responsibility  of  rejecting  you,  whom  they  could 
not  receive  with  your  brethren  at  the  altar,  from  re- 
sponding at  the  font.  This  supposable  case,  is  where 
you  are  both  guilty  of  immoralities,  more  or  less, 
and  notorious  for  them. 

*  See  prayers  before  Baptism.    Also,  IXth  Article. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  1O0' 

That  you  may,  in  this,  often  be  but  examples  of 
human  weakness,  instead  of  deliberate  depravity, 
and  so  objects  of  pity  as  well  as  subjects  for  prayer, 
is  readily  granted,-^and  upon  all  such  may  God 
have  mercy  !  But,  that  you  should  presume,  under 
the  circumstances,  to  put  yourselves  forward  as  spir- 
itual guardians  for  children,  to  be  guided  by  you 
into  "  all  virtue  and  godliness  of  living"  passes  en- 
durance. Go  first,  and  repent  ;  reform  you  ;  turn 
from  your  evil  ways  ;  and  v>^hen  you  have  exhibited 
the  working  of  Divine  Grace  upon  your  hearts,  in 
your  lives,  then,  and  not  till  then,  may  you  venture 
upon  undertaking  the  duties  of  this  new  relation 
towards  the  baptized  in  Christ. 

To  all,  then,  be  it  said,  as  you  have  any  regard 
for  the  Church's  good  repute,  as  you  value  your  own 
souls'  salvation,  as  you  value  that  of  such  as  may  be 
intrusted  to  your  supervision  and  care,  consider 
your  responsibility,  and  meet  it.  For,  even  thus 
much  depends  upon  your  faithfulness,  inasmuch  as 
your  unfaithfulness  may  contribute  to  the  ruin  of  im- 
mortal souls. 

10 


110  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

5.  QuaJiJications  of  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  {continued.) 
2.  As  "  Witnesses"  in  the  case  of  Adults. 
Tliere  is  little  to  be  added  under  this  head,  the 
exhortation  to  the  "  chosen  witnesses"  of  Adults 
baptized,  implying  the  same  kind  of  fitness  as  has 
just  been  commended.  It  is  supposed  that,  in  prac- 
tice, these  witnesses  are  more  generally  (if  not  al- 
ways,) communicants,  than  they  who  act  as  Sponsors 
for  children.  Although,  it  is  hard  to  tell  why  this 
should  be,  since  the  strongest  impressions  of  right 
instruction  and  a  good  example  are  made  upon  the 
young  ;  whilst,  as  Adults  answer  for  themselves  at 
Baptism,  so  do  the  duties  of  their  Witnesses  ordina- 
rily continue  for  a  shorter  space  of  time.  For,  ac- 
cording to  the  Rubric  in  this  case,  "It  is  expedient 
that  every  [adult]  person  thus  baptized,  should  be 
confirmed  by  the  Bishop,  so  soon  after  his  Baptism 
as  conveniently  may  be ;  that  so  he  may  be  admitted 
to  the  Holy  Communion."  The  duties  of  the  Wit- 
nesses as  such  then  cease  ;  and  previously  may  be 
considered  as  those  only  which  one  Christian  may 
expect  from  another,  the  advantage  of  the  relation 
between  the  two  parties  and  for  the  time,  being,  that 
the  general  duty  of  caring  for  a  Christian  brother  is, 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  Ill 

for  a  special  purpose,  transferred  from  the  whole 
body  of  a  church  or  congregation  to  certain  of  its 
members  ;  and  is  more  likely,  therefore,  to  be  per- 
formed in  a  proper,  profitable  manner.  And,  to  un- 
dertake it,  with  the  determination  to  do  as  the  Wit- 
nesses are  exhorted, — the  congregation  having  a 
pledge  that  what  it  owes  to  the  newly-baptized  will 
not  be  neglected, — is  an  act  of  Christian  charity, 
than  which  there  is  none  better  adapted  to  promote 
"  unity  of  spirit,  in  the  bond  of  peace,  and,  (may 
we  not  add  ?) — righteousness  of  life." 

6.  Motives  to  undertaking  Sponsorial  duties. 
1.  The  fact  that,  with  a  view  to  the  bringing  up 
of  children — whose  case  again  and  finally  comes 
under  notice — "  as  becometh  the  Gospel  of  Christ,"* 
the*  Church  has  seen  fit  to  recognize  the  Sponsorial 
relation  and  appoint  its  duties,  should  be  a  first  mo- 
tive to  compliance  with  this  part  of  Her  discipline, 
in  all  Her  members  who  have  the  prerequisite  fitness 
for  performing  the  duties  of  this  relation.  Even  if 
the  Church  were  to  be  regarded  as  only  a  Yoluntary 
Association  of  human  origin,  thus  much  would  be  ex- 
pected of  Her  members,  as  therefore  bound  by  Her 

*  Phil.  i.  2T. 


112  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

laws  SO  long  as  these  were  in  force.  On  no  other 
principle  could  the  well-being — not  to  say  the  being 
— of  any  Society  or  State  be  preserved,  or  its  effi- 
cient action  continued.  And,  the  same  principle,  as- 
suredly, is  no  less  applicable  in  the  Church  of  Christ, 
because  its  origin  is  held  to  be  Divine.  Nor,  whilst 
Her  members  undoubtedly  have  the  privilege  of  in- 
quiring whether  Her  laws  and  institutions  accord 
with  the  law  of  God,  in  the  Gospel,  need  they  scru- 
ple to  accede  at  once  to  the  present  point  of  disci- 
pline ;  unless,  indeed,  it  were  contrary  to  God's  law, 
which  must  be  proved,  not  taken  for  granted. 

2.  The  nature  of  the  Sponsorial  relation,  together 
with  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  designed,  as  con- 
tributing to  the  well-being  of  the  Church,  through 
the  performance  of  the  duties  involved,  calls  up  an- 
other motive  for  undertaking  them,  of  no  little  im- 
portance. Are  Her  doctrines  essential  to  salvation, 
as  of  God  ?  then  should  they  be  known.  Is  Her  dis- 
cipline effectual  to  so  good  an  end  ?  then  should  it  be 
enforced.  Is  unity  of  sentiment  and  action  in  her 
members  desirable  ?  then  should  there  be  instruction, 
leading  to  such  effect.  Are  the  most  of  Her  mem- 
bers such,  from  childhood  up  ?  then  should  these  have 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  113 

that  instruction,  "  so  soon  as  they  are  able  to  learn," 
in  order  that  through  them  the  Church's  unity  and 
efficiency  may  be  the  better  secured,  to  the  attain- 
ment of  the  objects  designed  in  Her  very  institution. 
And  what  can  contribute  more  to  Her  edification, 
to  Her  members  growing  up  into  a  band  of  brethren, 
of  one  household,  harmoniously  acting  together  for 
their  mutual  good  and  the  salvation  of  all  men,  than 
the  Sponsorial  relation,  rightly  understood,  and  faith- 
fully observed  ;  as  constantly  increasing,  moreover, 
the  number  of  those  who  are  drawn  into  a  close, 
brotherly,  and  spiritual  communion, — ^faith  working 
by  love  ? 

3.  Further,  there  is  another  motive  which  should 
make  the  members  of  the  Church  willing  to  enter 
upon  this  relation,  in  that,  namely,  it  is  an  act  of 
charity  towards  those,  in  whose  favour  it  is  under- 
taken. It  has  already  been  mentioned  in  this  Hght,. 
as  regards  the  witnessing  for  Adults.  Much  more 
is  it  so  to  be  considered  in  the  case  of  answering  for 
Infants,  who  can  not  answer  for  themselves  at  their 
Baptism,  can  not  instruct  or  train  themselves  in  the 
way  of  salvation,  but  in  this  respect  are  helpless,  at 

the  mercy  of  every  influence,  and  so  far  exposed  to 
10* 


114  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

every  temptation  into  error  of  faith,  heart,  and  life. 
Shall  they  be  left  to  themselves  ?  Will  none  care 
for  their  souls  ?  Or,  shall  they  be  trained  for  this 
world,  but  not  for  the  next  ? 

And  especially  is  there  a  call  for  the  exhibition 
of  such  charity,  where  parents  are  no  more,  to  watch 
over  their  little  ones,  even  if  so  disposed ;  and  where 
they  are  still  living,  but  indifferent  to  their  own  and 
their  children's  true  welfare  ;  or,  in  a  manner  de- 
structive of  the  salvation  of  them  all. 

7.  Objections  to  becoming  Sponsors,  answered. 
Observing  first  that,  generally,  objections  of  this, 
or  any  similar,  nature  come  with  but  an  ill  grace 
from  members  of  the  Church,  who,  in  being  such, 
are  pledged  to  obey  Her  laws,  yet,  as  objections 
may  rise  in  the  minds  of  those  who  would  willingly 
and  conscientiously  do  their  duty  in  the  present 
matter,  could  they  see  their  way  clear,  somewhat 
may  be  added. 

1.  Thus,  there  is  an  objection  to  the  Questions 
'before  Baptism,  put  to  Sponsors,  as  answered  ''  in 
the  name  of  this  child,"  and  as  further  stated  and 
explained  in  the  Third  Answer  of  the  Catechism,  to 
which  you  are  referred,  in  connection  with  what  fol- 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  115 

lows. — Now,  no  Churchman,  and  no  one  professing 
to  be  a  Christian,  can,  it  is  thought,  object,  upon 
any  rehgious  ground  whatever,  to  "  renouncing  the 
devil  and  all  his  works,  &c.,"  so  far  as  he  himself  is 
concerned  ;  or,  to  "  believing  in  all  the  Articles  of 
the  Christian  Faith,  as  contained  in  the  Apostles' 
Creed;"  or,  if  he  believes  in  Baptism,  to  being  "  bap- 
tized in  this  Faith:"  or,  to  "  an  obedient  keeping  of 
God's  holy  will  and  commandments,  &c.,  all  the  days 
of  his  life,"*  Nor,  therefore,  can  any  object  to  a 
child's  thus  renouncing,  believing,  being  baptized, 
and  obeying,  for  himself,  could  he  act  in  reference  to 
either  or  all  of  these  points,  "  in  his  own  name"  or 
person.  Wherefore,  as  respects  the  principle  of  the 
thing,  there  can  be  no  objection  to  the  lawfulness 
and  propriety  of  that  being  done  for  him,  which  he 
ought  to  do  for  himself  were  he  capable  of  it. 

2.  Here,  however,  it  may  be  said,  that  whilst 
such  would  be  the  child's  duty  were  he  an  adult,  he 
ought  not  to  be  bound  by  any  vows  in  which  he  has, 
and  can  have,  no  voice.  And  yet,  in  worldly  mat- 
ters, to  speak  in  the  way  of  illustration,  this  objec- 
tion is  set  at  naught,  every  day.     And  must  be,  as 

*  See  Quest,  p.  10. 


116  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

is  evident.  Otherwise,  no  parent,  having  heirs  with 
a  natural  right  to  his  estate,  could  control  this,  to 
buy  or  sell,  (except  during  the  non-age  of  his  chil- 
dren, )  binding  them  to  obligations  of  his  contracting, 
and  to  hold  when  they  had  reached  their  majority. 
Guardians  could  not  act  for  their  wards.  Indeed, 
no  one  could  be  deputed  to  act  for  a  principal. 
True,  the  civil  law  settles  the  course  of  action,  here. 
But,  on  the  very  principle  which  binds  a  child 
through  the  action  of  his  Sponsors. 

3.  Should  it  be  urged,  now,  that  this  illustration 
does  not  come  up  to  the  point  in  question,  because 
something  more  than  worldly  estates,  even  the  spir- 
itual interests  of  a  chUd  are  involved,  let  it  be  an- 
swered that,  this  fact  can  not  overthrow  the  principle 
illustrated,  unless  the  child  be  bound  to  what  is 
wrong,  or  deprived  of  some  right  or  privilege.  For 
an  illegal  action  in  this  world's  matters,  done  by  a 
parent  to  the  prejudice  of  a  child,  there  is  a  remedy; 
and  so,  doubtless,  a  child  could  not  be  bound  to  a 
false  Creed  were  he  baptized  ever  so  often.  His 
Baptism,  if  in  other  respects  valid  and  lawful,  could 
serve  only  to  the  true  end  of  Baptism  and  bind  him 
to  a  true  Creed.     Is  there  then  any  thing  false  or 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  117 

nnscriptiiral  in  tlie  Questions  of  the  Baptismal  Office 
and  the  Catechism,  and  their  Answers,  as  now 
under  notice  ?  Observe,  too,  that  the  principle, 
upon  which  these  are  based,  is  of  Divine  origin.  It 
is  as  old,  at  least,  as  the  institution  of  Circumcision. 
Was  the  circumcised  child,  from  the  days  oY  Abra- 
ham, bound  to  nothing  when  circumcised  at  his 
eighth  day?  Was  he  not  bound  to  the  terms  of  the 
Abrahamic,  and  then  afterwards  of  the  Mosaic,  cov- 
enant? Did  not  the  Law  fix  his  Faith  and  regulate 
his  morals?  And  now,  should  he  not,  might  he  not, 
have  objected  to  the  law,  which,  without  his  consent, 
when  he  was  eight  days  old,  made  him  keep  the  cove- 
nant,* taking  away  all  supposable  right  to  grow  up 
as  a  Gentile,  and  thenceforward  instructing  him  in 
the  duties  which  God  had  imposed  ?  This  requires 
no  answer.  Only,  it  may  be  stated,  with  a  refer- 
ence back  to  the  baptism  of  proselytes  that,  Jewish 
writers  held  that  one  may  "privilege  a  person, 
though  he  be  incapable  of  knowing  it  ;  but  one 
ought  not  to  disprivilege  a  person  without  his  knowl- 
edge." And  according  to  the  Gemara,  "  If  with  a 
proselyte  his  sons  and  daughters  be  made  proselytes, 

*  Gen.  XTii.  14. 


118  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

that  which  is  clone  by  their  father  redounds  to 
their  good."  And  this  applied  to  children  "  of 
never  so  Uttle  age,"  whether  baptized  "  upon  the 
profession  of  the  father,"  or  "of  the  House  of  judg- 
ment."* 

4.  The  preceding  section  naturally  suggests  a 
similar  objection,  not  merely  to  our  Creed  and  For- 
mularies, but  to  all  whatever,  according  to  which 
Sponsors  might  pledge  themselves  to  instruct  the 
children  for  whom  they  answered  at  Baptism,  the 
proposed  principle  being  that  children's  minds  should 
not  be  biassed  previous  to  their  ability  to  choose  a 
faith  for  themselves.  The  principle  is  plausible,  and 
perhaps  pleasing,  but  simply  and  utterly  inapplicable 
in  practice.  And  were  it  not  so,  consider  whereto  it 
would  lead ;  to  ignorance  of  Creeds,  of  Morals,  and 
of  God.  For,  there  is  no  possibility  of  limiting  the 
principle  without  undermining  it.  Accordingly,  the 
question  is  not  between  Creeds  and  none,  but  between 
true  and  false,  good  and  bad.  It  must  be  so.  For, 
no  child  can  grow  up  in  society  without  coming 
under  religious  and  moral  influences  of  one  kind  or 
another,  from  the  best  to  the  worst.      And  thus, 

*  Wall,  Introd.  p.  15. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  119 

we  are  brought  back  to  the  point  from  which  we 
started  ;  at  most,  to  inquire  into  the  conformity  of 
the  Baptismal  Office  and  Catechism  with  the  law  of 
God  as  contained  in  His  Word  ;  and  this,  it  has 
already  been  assumed,  is  settled. 

5.  The  main  objection,  with  which  we  are  here 
concerned,  now  takes  this  shape,  that,  even  if 
nothing  unlawful  be  imposed  upon  a  child  at  his 
Baptism  as  ministered  according  to  our  Formularies; 
and  supposing  that  a  child's  mind  may  be  lawfully 
biassed  in  a  certain  direction,  through  instruction 
in  the  Catechism  as  agreeing  with  the  Word  of 
God  ;  yet,  since  there  is  no  absolute  certainty  as  to 
what  said  child  will  actually  do,  in  the  course  of 
time,  Sponsors  ought  not  to  pledge  "  in  his  name" 
that  he  will  renounce,  as  doing  it  now,  or  that  he 
will  beheve  and  will  obey.  Now,  one  would  suppose 
it  a  sufficient  answer  to  this  to  say,  that  Sponsors 
promise  only  what  the  child  ought  to  promise  ;  that 
the  child  is  taught  in  the  Catechism  what  is  the 
intended  effect  of  said  promise,  viz.  :  "that  he 
should  renounce,"  "  should  believe,"  "  should  keep," 
&c.  ;  is  taught  to  "  think"  that  he  is  "  bound  to 
believe,  and  to   do   as   they  (the  Sponsors)  have 


120  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

promised  for  him."*  Just  as,  in  effect,  a  guardian 
says  that  his  ward  shall^  after  his  majority,  ratify  all 
that  the  guardian  has  done  or  pledged.  In  which 
case,  should  the  ward,  no  longer  under  guardianship, 
refuse  such  ratij&cation,  the  civil  law,  by  fine  or 
other  process  of  penalty,  would  compel  him  to  his 
duty;  indeed,  to  continue  in  the  performance  of  that 
upon  which  he  has  already  entered  through  his 
guardian  acting  for  him,  it  being  taken  for  granted, 
moreover,  from  the  outset,  that  he  is  a  reasonable 
and  equitable  being,  willing  to  do  what  is  right  and 
legal  in  the  premises.  The  cases,  then,  are  strictly 
parallel,  except  that  there  is  no  other  law  compelling 
baptized  children  to  keep  theu'  Sponsors'  pledge, 
(which  is  none  the  less  their  own  because  taken  "in 
their  name,")  than  one  of  a  moral  force  and  nature, 
eventuating  in  eternal  punishment  for  voluntary 
failure.  Nor  do  Sponsors  vow  or  promise,  as 
"  sureties,"  respecting  what,  children  "  when  they 
come  to  age  are  themselves  bound  to  perform, "f 
more  than  is  promised  by  guardians  for  their  wards. 
Only,  the  subject  matter  of  the  promise  is  different, 
being  of  a  religious  and  spiritual,  not  of  a  worldly 


*  Quest.  Pub.  Bap.  of  Infants.    Quest  3,  Catechism,  pp.  10,  27. 
t  Catechisna,  Quest.  20,  Ans. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  121 

and  civil  nature,  whilst  there  need  be  no  more 
hesitation  to  make  the  pledges  in  advance  which 
are  required,  in  the  one  case  than  in  the  other. 
Indeed,  the  advantage  is  here  believed  to  be  on  the 
side  of  Sponsors.  For,  they  act  under  Divine 
sanction.  The  obligations  entered  into  at  Baptism 
are  of  Divine  origin,  since  they  are  set  forth  by  the 
law  which  points  out  the  way  of  eternal  life.  It  is 
the  way  of  Truth  into  which  the  child  is  introduced. 
He  has  thus  made  a  ''beginning"  whereof  God 
approves  ;  has,  at  the  least,  *'  been  called  into  a 
state  of  salvation,"^  for  attaining  the  full  purposes 
of  which  God's  Spirit,  we  may  be  well  assured,  is 
promised,  and  accordingly  will  be  afforded.  And, 
further,  that  the  Baptismal  vows  are  taken  in  no 
spirit  of  presumptuous  self-confidence  appears  from 
this,  that,  whilst  there  is  an  absolute,  unconditional 
renunciation  of  the  devil,  the  world,  and  the  flesh, 
yet  the  pledge  is  ''by  God's  help,  to  endeavour  not 
to  follow  nor  be  led  by  them."f  So,  the  promise  to 
obey,  again,  is  "by  God's  help."  At  the  same  time, 
when  the  baptized  come  to  be  taught,  and  to  teach 
them  is  a  duty,  they  are  taught  to  "  think  themselves 

*  Cat.  Quest.  4,  Ans.  page  27. 
t  Quest.  Pub.  Bap.  of  Infants,  page  10. 
11 


122  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

bound  to  believe  and  to  do  as  their  Sponsors  prom- 
ised for  them ;"  to  say  that  they  "  will,  by  God's 
help;"  to  "  thank  Him  for  calling  them  into  this  state 
of  salvation  ;"  and  to  "  pray  that  He  would  give 
them  His  grace  that  they  may  continue  in  the  same 
unto  their  lives'  end."* 

And  now,  whilst  the  baptized  are  undoubtedly 
bound  by  the  vows  and  promises  in  their  names,  the 
Sponsors  themselves  are  bound  only  to  the  duty  of 
giving  such  instruction  and  using  such  efforts  as  are 
calculated,  and  therefore  appointed,  to  contribute 
to  the  keeping  of  the  above  vows  and  promises. 
Wherefore,  then,  need  any  hesitate  to  act  in  the 
Sponsorial  capacity,  as  presented  to  view  in  the 
Baptismal  Office  and  the  Catechism,  merely  because 
children  may  not,  perhaps,  keep  their  vows  ?  Is 
this  our  faith  in  the  efficacious  working  of  God's 
Spirit  ;  in  His  Institutions  ;  in  the  evidently  Scrip- 
tural promise  that  the  religious  training  of  the 
young  shall  be  blessed  ?  ^or  say,  that  many 
children  of  pious  parents  do  not  live  in  accordance 
with  the  pious  care  that  has  been  bestowed  upon 
them.     "  Let  God  be  true,  and  every  man  a  liar,"f 


*  Catechism,  Quest,  4,  Ana. 
t  Eom,  iii.  4. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  123 

and  rather  suppose  some  defect  and  omission  in  this 
case,  than  assume  that  His  word  can  fail.  For,  it 
is  against  Him  that  you  are  thus  arguing.  Mean- 
while, it  is  enough  for  you,  as  Sponsors,  to  be 
faithful  and  confidently  to  leave  the  results  to  Him, 
belie\ang  that  these,  after  all  allowances  made  for 
the  perversity  of  the  human  heart,  will  be  such  as  to 
encom-age  your  present  entering  into  a  relation  so 
holy,  and  upon  duties  so  important. 

6.  Some  have  objected,  again,  to  undertaking  for 
children,  upon  the  supposition  that  this  involved 
some  provision  for  their  temporal  support.  This 
objection,  connected  as  it  may  be  with  an  occasional 
expectation  in  parents  of  gifts  from  Sponsors  to  their 
children,  is  without  foundation.  And  it  is  enough  that 
any  are  found  willing  to  undertake  this  office.  It  is 
their  best  gift.  Still,  there  is  one  case,  that  of  the 
poor  orphan,  in  which  something  should  be  done  for 
the  body  as  well  as  the  soul.  But,  this  double  duty 
does  not  rest  upon  Sponsors,  as  such.  They  can 
often  do  something,  as  others  can,  individually,  for 
such  support  of  the  young  "  member  of  Christ"  as 
will  withdraw  him  from  temptation,  through  his 
necessities.      Nevertheless,    this    belongs  to     the 


124 


MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 


Church  ;  and,  is  only  mentioned  in  this  connection, 
for  the  purpose  of  adding  one  more  voice  to  an 
ah'eady  swelling  note  of  appeal  to  all  those  Church- 
men who  have  not  hitherto  helped  Her  on,  as  they 
might  and  should  have  done,  in  this  Her  work. 
Where  are  Her  Houses  of  Refuge,  Her  Asylums,  and 
Her  Parish  Schools  ?  And  where,  the  means  of 
establishing  and  supporting  them  ? 

T.  Another  objection  there  is,  which  may  deter 
some  from  becoming  Sponsors.  And,  whilst  it 
ought  to  have  come  from  the  thoughtless,  formal, 
fashionable  Sponsor,  with  such  an  effect,  it  may 
have  weight  with  those  who,  being  more  impressed 
with  a  sense  of  the  duties  involved,  ought  to  be 
among  the  last  to  raise  it,  or  to  be  influenced  by  it. 
Namely,  that  there  are  involved  so  much  care, 
trouble  and  responsibility.  It  is  so.  The  fact  must 
not  be  denied,  even  to  add  but  one  to  the  list  of 
Sponsors,  as  supposing  it  otherwise.  But,  what  an 
objection  is  this  !  As  well  object  at  once  to  being 
a  Christian.  The  way  in  which  he  has  to  walk  is 
"  straight"  and  ''  narrow."  It  abounds  in  difficulties, 
is  surrounded  by  dangers,  compels  him  to  care,  leads 
him  under  many  a  responsibility,  to  where  he  will 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  125 

be  held  strictly  accountable  at  last.  Would  you, 
therefore,  deny  your  Master,  and  the  faith,  or 
willingly  give  up  all  hope  of  Heaven  ?  No  ?  And 
shall,  then,  any  such  reason — or  any  reason  as  inter- 
fering with  a  duty — withhold  you  from  undertaking 
a  labour  of  love,  in  behalf  of  the  little  ones  of 
Christ's  fold,  for  their  good,  not  excluding  your 
own  ? 

8.  Finally,  there  is  here  remembered  but  one  other 
objection  to  the  Sponsorial  system,  that.  Sponsors 
and  their  office  of  instructing  the  baptized  are  made 
a  substitute  for  God's  Spirit.  How  unreasonable 
and  how  unwarranted  such  a  supposition  or  assertion 
is,  an  examination  of  our  Formularies  touching  the 
matter  in  hand  must  clearly  show.  Sponsors  are  to 
do  the  work  set  for  them,  but  are  in  no  wise  re- 
garded as  substitutes  for  the  Spirit  of  GrOD.  Nor  is 
the  moral  influence  of  their  office,  or  of  its  instruc- 
tions, to  be  considered  as  instead  of  the  influences 
of  Divine  Grace,  acting  directly,  or  through  ap- 
pointed instrumentalities,  upon  Its  subjects. 

However,  to  illustrate.     The  "  baptized  into  Jesus 

Christ" — says  St.  Paul — are  ''planted  together  in 

the  Ukeness  of  His  death,"  that  they  may  be  so 
11* 


126  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

"  also  in  the  likeness  of  His  resurrection,"  to  the 
end  that  they  "  should  not  serve  sin"  but  "  walk  in 
ne^\Tiess  of  life."  Does  any  one  suppose  that,  when 
a  tree  newly  planted  is  staked  and  so  fastened,  the 
stakes  are  the  hfe  of  the  tree,  or  instead  of  the  soil 
in  which  it  stands,  or  of  the  rains,  and  air,  and  light, 
and  heat  of  Heaven  ?  They  hold  it  fast  until  firmly 
rooted,  and  then  are  taken  away. — Again,  Baptism 
may  be  likened  to  grafting.  The  ingrafted  branch 
is  secured  firmly  upon  the  stock  into  which  it  is  in- 
serted, and  protected  against  whatsoever  might  hin- 
der its  life.*  Are  these  guards  the  life  ?  And 
yet,  would  the  new  branch  be  likely  to  stand  and 
live,  becoming  incorporated  as  part  of  the  tree  upon 
which  it  stands,  were  it  only  inserted  ?  Once  more. 
Look  at  a  spire  of  corn  as  it  springs  up  from  the 
ground  until  the  full  ear  is  ripened.  Tilie  ear  does 
not  grow  up  out  of  the  stock,  unprotected.  The 
husk  surrounds,  and  grows  with,  it.  Remove  the 
husk,  and  the  ear  dies,  or  will  not  become  perfect. 
Leave  it  until  the  ripened  ear  no  longer  needs  it, 
and  it  is  taken  away,  becoming  food  for  cattle,  but 
the  corn  for  man. 

So,  with  Sponsors  in  like  wise.     They  are  mere 

*  Kom.  Ti.  3-6;  xi.  16-24. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  127 

instruments  in  the  hand  of  God. — They  guard  the 
young  "  member  of  Christ,"  that  it  may  stand  firm, 
take  root,  and  flourish,  "  like  a  tree  planted  by  the 
rivers  of  water."* — They  protect  it  in  its  place, 
until  it  becomes  so  incorporated  with  the  Tree — the 
Ti'ue  Yinef — into  which  it  has  been  grafted,  as  that 
it  can  stand,  without  their  help. — They  serve  the 
purpose  appointed  them  while  the  ear  is  growing, 
growing  themselves  the  while,  and  then  are  removed. 
Of  this  nature  is  the  design  of  their  present  relation 
to  the  baptized,  of  their  nurturing  care,  instruction, 
and  training,  until  when  these  their  children  or 
wards  shall  renew  and  confirm  the  vows,  once  taken 
by  them,  through  others  acting  in  their  names. 

Will,  then,  any  say  that  Sponsors  are  considered 
substitutes  for  God's  Spirit,  to  any  extent  or  in 
any  manner,  when,  after  rehearsing  the  Command- 
ments, (in  keeping  of  which,  as  including  the  fear  of 
God,  is  the  whole  duty  of  man, )  every  baptized  child 
is  taught,  "  Know  this,  that  thou  art  not  able  to  do 
these  things  of  thyself,  nor  to  walk  in  the  command- 
ments of  God  and  to  serve  Him,  without  His  special 
grace,  which  thou  must  learn  at  all  times  to  call  for 

*  Ps.  i.  3. 

t  Eom.  xi.  16-24:  John  xv.  1. 


128  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

by  diligent  prayer  ?"*  As  well  plant  your  tree 
upon  a  rock,  and  though  you  stake  it  fast,  or  in  a 
good  soil,  yet  taking  away  all  moisture,  and  air, 
and  light,  and  heat,  and  expect  it  to  live  ;  or,  your 
graft  upon  a  dead  tree,  or  your  corn  in  a  barren 
ground  !  Nay,  here  also  is  it  true,  that  "  Paul 
plants  and  Apollos  waters,  but  God  gives  the  in- 
crease."f 

8.  Conclusion. 
In  thus  committing  the  present  Manual  to  the 
members  of  the  Church  for  their  examination,  and 
for  its  perusal  and  use  for  such  as  are,  or  contem- 
plate becoming,  Sponsors,  every  other  intention  than 
that  of,  in  some  measure,  aiding  all  such  in  their 
work  of  charity,  is  disclaimed.  That,  every  thing 
possible  to  be  said  has  been  thus  written  ;  or  that, 
the  preceding  pages  contain  all,  in  due  measure, 
which  may  naturally  fall  within  their  scope,  is 
neither  claimed  nor  supposed.  Or,  should  it  be 
thought  that,  more  than  necessary  space  has  been 
given  to  the  subject  of  Baptism,  let  it  be  answered 
that  somewhat  of  this  nature  seemed  necessary  to 

*  Cat.  Quest.  12 ;  Eccles.  xii.  18. 
+  1  Cor.  iu.  6. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  129 

the  contemplated  design, — to  give  a  continuous  view 
of  the  Sponsorial  office  in  connection  with  the  cove- 
nant of  grace,  not  exclusively  but  chiefly,  as  exhib- 
ited in  the  Church  of  the  'New  Dispensation.  In 
view,  therefore,  of  this  connection  as  it  appears  more 
especially  in  our  Formularies,  the  attempt  has  been 
made  to  present  this  office  or  relation  to  notice  as, 
following  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  we  have,  or 
should  have,  it  presented  to  us,  in  practice  ;  to 
suggest  points  of  responsibiUty  incurred  by  those 
who  act  in  it ;  and,  through  such  suggestions,  to 
contribute  to  a  studious  and  faithful  undertaking  of 
its  duties. 

Be  not  discouraged,  however,  by  any  thought  of 
trouble,  or  care,  or  even  of  the  great  responsibility 
attending  it.  The  work  is  not  yours,  nor  yours  the 
production  of  results.  You  must  expect  here,  like- 
wise, to  meet  with  many  obstacles  in  your  way, 
raised  by  imperfections  in  yourselves  and  in  the 
young.  But,  where  will  you  not  find  them  in  the 
course  of  your  pilgrimage,  which  is  also  a  warfare  ? 
And,  where  can  you  hope  to  find  obstacles,  fewer  in 
number,  less  difficult  to  overcome,  than  in  the  case 
and  care  of  those,  concerning  all  of  whom,  Christ 
Himself  hath   said,   "  of  such  is   the  kingdom  of 


130  MANUAL    FOR    SPONSORS. 

God  ;"*  whom,  as  little  children,  He  once  blessed, 
hath,  blessed  even  now,  and  will  continue  to  bless  ? 
Begin  then.  Go  on.  With  a  willingness  to  devote 
time,  and  study,  and  effort,  as  circumstances  may 
require,  to  this  noble  and  charitable  work  of  pre- 
paring souls  for  Heaven.  In  many  respects,  it  is 
admitted,  the  time  might  be  more  agreeably  em- 
ployed, although  not  more  profitably,  if  "  by  teaching 
we  learn."  And  what  study  more  noble  than  that 
of  characters  yet  unformed,  so  that,  their  predis- 
positions, their  peculiarities,  and  their  needs  being 
seen,  they  may  be  formed  after  "  the  mind  of 
CHRisT,''f  as  this  is  manifested  in  the  written  Word 
through  His  teaching  and  example  therein  described  ? 
Or,  what  effort  is  there  that  you  should  be  more 
willing  to  make  than  this,  so  praiseworthy  as  to  its 
object,  so  promising  of  success,  so  clearly  acceptable 
to  God,  and  so  likely  to  be  rewarded  ?  For,  ''  they 
that  be  wise  [or,  teachers,']  shall  shine  as  the  bright- 
ness of  the  firmament  ;  and  they  that  turn  many  to 
righteousness,  as  the  stars,  for  ever  and  ever."  Only, 
remember  to  seek  for  yourselves  that  ''grace"  which 
*'  is  sufficient  for  you,"  as  it  is  necessary  for  all  the 

*  Mark  x.  14 ;  Luke  xviii.  16. 
t  1  Cor.  ii.  16. 


THE    SPONSORIAL    OFFICE.  131 

children  of  God.  Then,  persevere,  knowing  Who 
hath  said,  "  They  that  seek  Me  early  shall  find  Me," 
and,  "  him  that  cometh  to  Me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out."* 

*  Daniel  xil.  3;  2  Cor.  xii.  9 ;  Proy.  yiii.  IT;  John  vi.  37. 


Cclkcte. 


Such  as  may  he  appr^opnately  used  hy  Sponsors  in  their  own  he- 
half^  and  for^  as  well  as  by,  children  for  whom  they  answered 
at  baptism.  Indeed,  most  of  the  Collects  may  he  thus  adafted^ 
in  the  manner  following. 


Blessed  Lord,  Who  hath  caused  all  holy  Saipturea  to  be 
written  for  our  learning ;  gi-ant  that  we  [with  this  child]  may  in 
such  wise  hear  them,  read,  mark,  leam,  and  inwardly  digest 
them,  that  by  patience,  and  comfort  of  Thy  holy  Word,  we  may 
embrace,  and  ever  hold  fast  the  blessed  hope  of  everlasting  life, 
which  Thou  hast  given  us  in  om*  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  • 

[Second  Sunday  in  Advent. 

Almighty  God,  Who  hast  given  us  Thy  only-begotten  Son  to 

take  our  nature  upon  Him,  and  **  to  be  bom  of  a  pure  Virgin  ; 

gi-ant  that  tve    [this  child]   being  regenerate,  and  made  Thy 

children  by  adoption  and  grace,  may  daily  be  renewed  by  Thy 

Holy  Spirit,  through  the  Same,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Who 

liveth  and  reigneth  with  Thee  and  the  same  Spirit,  ever  one 

God,  world  without  end. 

[Nativity  of  our  Lord. 

0  Almighty  God,  Who  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and 
sucklings  hast  ordained  strength,  and  madest  infants  to  glorify 
Thee  by  their  deaths ;  mortify  and  kill  all  vices  in  us,  and  so 
sti-engthen  us  by  Thy  gi-ace,  that  by  the  innocency  of  orir  lives 
and  constancy  of  our  faith  even  unto  death,  we  may  glorify  Thy 
holy  Name,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

[Holy  Innocents'  Day. 
12 


134  COLLECTS. 

Almighty  God,  Who  madest  Thy  Blessed  Son  to  be  cii-cum- 
cised  and  obedient  to  the  law  for  man ;  grant  tcs  [this  child] 
the  true  circumcision  of  the  Spirit,  oui*  hearts  [his  heart]  and 
all  our  [his]  members  being  mortified  from  all  worldly  and 
carnal  lust,  toe  [he]  may  in  all  things  obey  Thy  blessed  will, 
through  the  Same,  Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

[The  Circumcision  of  Christ. 

O  God,  Who,  thi'ough  the  preaching  of  the  blessed  Apostle 
Saint  Paul,  hast  caused  the  hght  of  the  Gospel  to  shine  through- 
out the  world ;  grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  that  ive,  having  his  won- 
derful conversion  in  remembrance,  may  show  forth  our  thank- 
fulness unto  Thee  for  the  same,  by  following  the  holy  doctrine 
which  he  taught,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

[Conversion  of  St  Paul. 

Almighty    and   everUving   God,   we  humbly  beseech  Thy 

I^ivine  Majesty,  that  as  Thy  only-begotten  Son  was  presented  in 

the  Temple  in  substance  of  our  flesh,  so  we  may  be  presented 

unto  Thee  with  [a]  pure  and  clean  hearts,  by  the  Same,  Thy 

Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

[Presentation. 

0  Lord  God,  Who  seest  that  we  put  not  our  ti'ust  in  any 

thing  that  we  do  ;  mercifully  grant  that  by  Thy  power  we  may 

be  defended  against  aU  adversity,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 

Lord. 

[Sesagesima  Sunday. 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  Who  hatest  nothing  that 
Thou  hast  made,  and  dost  forgive  the  sins  of  aU  those  who  are 
penitent ;  create  and  make  in  ics  new  and  contrite  heai*ts,  that 
we,  worthily  lamenting  our  sins  and  acknowledging  our  wretched- 
ness, may  obtain  of  Thee,  the  God  of  all  mercy,  perfect  remis- 
sion and  forgiveness,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

[Ash-Wednesday. 


COLLECTS.  135 

Grant,  0  Lord,  that  as  we  are  baptized  into  the  death  of  Thj 
Blessed  Son  our  Savioui*  Jesus  Christ,  so  by  continual  mortify- 
ing (Mr  corrupt  afifections,  we  may  be  buried  with  Him ;  and 
that  through  the  grave  and  gate  of  death  we  may  pass  to  our 
joyful  resurrection,  for  His  merits,  Who  died  and  was  buried, 
and  rose  again  for  us,  Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

[Easter-Even. 

Almighty  God,  Who  thi'ough  Thine  only-begotten  Son  Jesus 

Christ  hast  overcome  death  and  opened  unto  us  the  gate  of 

everlasting   hfe;   we  humbly  beseech  Thee,  that  as,  by  Thy 

special  grace  preventing  us,  Thou  dost  put  into  our  minds  good 

desires ;  so  by  Thy  continual  help  loe  may  bring  the  same  to 

good  effect,  thi-ough  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  Who  Uveth  and 

reigneth  with  Thee,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  ever  one  God,  world 

without  end. 

[Easter-Day. 

0  Almighty  God,  WTbo  alone  canst  order  the  um-uly  wills 
and  affections  of  sinful  men  ;  grant  unto  Thy  people,  that  they 
may  love  the  thing  which  Thou  commandest,  and  desii-e  that 
which  Thou  dost  promise  ;  that  so,  among  the  sundry  and  mani- 
fold changes  of  the  world,  oriir  hearts  may  surely  there  be  fixed, 
where  ti"ue  joys  are  to  be  found,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord. 

[Fourth  Sunday  after  Easter. 

0  God,  Who  ***  didst  teach  the  hearts  of  Thy  faithful  peo- 
ple, by  sending  to  them  the  light  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit  ;  gi-ant 
us  by  the  same  Spirit  to  have  a  right  judgment  in  all  things, 
and  evermore  to  rejoice  in  His  holy  comfort,  through  the  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ  oui-  Saviour,  Who  liveth  and  reigneth  with 
Thee,  in  the  unity  of  the  same  Spirit,  one  God,  world  without 
end. 

[Whit-Sunday. 


136  COLLECTS. 

Lord  of  all  power  and  might,  Who  art  the  Author  and  Giver 
of  all  good  things,  graft  in  oicr  hearts  the  love  of  Thy  Name,  in- 
crease in  xis  time  religion,  nourish  xcs  with  all  goodness,  and  of 
Thy  great  mercy  keep  us  in  the  same,  thi-ough  Jesus  Chebt 
our  Lord. 

[Seventh  Sunday  al'ter  Trinity. 

Lord,  xce  pray  Thee,  that  Thy  grace  may  always  prevent  and 
follow  us ;  and  make  us  continually  to  be  given  to  all  good 
works,  thi-ough  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

[Seventeenth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

0  Almighty  God,  Who  hast  built  Thy  Chui'ch  upon  the 
foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Pi-ophets,  Jesus  Christ  HimseK 
being  the  head  corner-stone ;  gi-ant  us  so  to  be  joined  together 
in  unity  of  spirit  by  their  docti-ine,  that  we  jnay  be  made  an 
holy  temple  acceptable  unto  Thee,  through  Jesus   Christ  our 

Lord. 

[SS.  Simon  and  Jude,  Apostles. 

O  Almighty  God,  Who  hast  knit  together  Thine  elect  in  one 

communion  and  fellowship,  in  the  mystical  body  of  Thy  Son, 

Christ  our  Lord  ;   gi-ant  us  gi-ace  so  to  follow  Thy  blessed 

Saints  in  all  virtue  and  all  godliness  of  living,  that  we  may 

come  to  those  unspeakable  joys,  which  Thou  hast  prepared  for 

those  who  unfeignedly  love  Thee,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 

Lord. 

[All  Saints'  Day. 

"  The  Lord  bless  ws  and  keep  us  :  The  Lord  make  His  fece 
to  shine  upon  us,  and  be  gracious  imto  zas  ;  The  Lord  lift  up 
His  countenance  upon  us,  and  give  us  peace,  both  now  and  ever- 
more.   Amen'' 


i  0  0  k  .^ 


SUITABLE  TO  BE   STUDIED  OE   EEAD   IN   CONNECTION 
WITH   "  THE  SPONSORS  MANUAL:' 


DAILY  STEPS  TOWARDS  HEAVEN; 

or,  Practical  Thoughts  on  the  Gospel  History,  and  espe- 
cially on  The  Life  and  Teachings  of  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  for  every  day  in  the  year,  according  to  the  Christian 
Seasons,  tvith  Titles  and  Characters  of  Christ,  and  a  Har- 
mony of  The  Four  Gospels.     456  pp.     32mo. 

BISHOP  PATRICK'S  BOOK  FOR  BEGINNERS; 

a  Help  to  Young  Communicants,  that  they  may  be  fitted 
for  the  Holy  Communion,  and  receive  it  with  profit. 
108  pp.     18mo. 

THE  SACRAMENT  OF  RESPONSIBILITY; 

or.  Testimony  of  Scripture  to  the  Teaching  of  the  Church 
on  Holy  Baptism,  ivith  especial  reference  to  the  case  of  In- 
fants, and  answers  to  objections.     65  pp.     12mo. 

HELEN  MORTON'S  TRIAL. 

By  Mrs.  Alice  B.  Neal.     192  pp.     16mo. 

WATCH  AND  PRAY. 

A  Sequel  to  Helen  Morton^s  Trial,  By  Mrs.  Alice  B. 
Neal.     248  pp.     16mo. 

MY  MOTHER'S  JEWEL; 

or,  Happy  in  Life,  Happy  in  Heath.  By  Jane  E.  Eames. 
222  pp.     16mo. 

FRANCIS  LUCAS; 

or,  Thy  Vows  are  upon  Me.     132  pp.     18mo. 


Published  hj  the  General  Protestant  Episcopal  S.  S.  Union. 


VALUABLE   PUBLICATIONS    OF     "THE    UNION. 


iailg  %U)^s  Mtrar^s  Ifeabfii. 


"  The  plan  of  this  work  is  to  bring  before  the  mind  of  the 
reader,  every  day,  some  one  doctrine  of  our  holy  religion  in 
connection  with  some  fact  or  event  in  the  life  of  oui*  Blessed 
Lord.  Each  page  contains  a  direction  to  some  passage  of  Holy 
Scripture  to  be  read;  three  short  texts  follow,  fi-equently  taken 
from  the  passage  to  be  read ;  each  of  these  is  followed  by  a 
brief  meditation,  tending  to  lead  the  mind  to  self-examination  ; 
at  the  bottom  is  some  striking  text.  At  the  foot  of  many  of  the 
pages  there  are  brief  notes,  referring  to  other  parts  of  the  book, 
or  giving  other  desirable  information.  Provision  is  thus  made 
for  four  hundred  and  four  days ;  that  being  the  number  of  pos- 
sible days  in  the  Church's  view  of  the  year.  *  *  *  *  -sfr 
The  completeness  of  the  provision  thus  made  is  unusual,  and 
we  mention  it  because  we  observe  in  every  thing  the  same 
character  in  this  little  book.  Its  distinguishing  feature  is  co7ti- 
pleteness.  The  meditations,  so  far  as  we  have  examined  them, 
are  pious,  sound,  and  free  from  any  tendency  to  extreme  doc- 
trine in  any  dii-ection.  There  are  few  books  which  we  think 
more  hkely  to  be  useful  than  this." 

[The  True  Catholic. 


"We  have  not  seen  for  a  long  time  a  book  that  we  can  more 
confidently  recommend  as  well  worthy  of  a  place  in  eveiy 
Christian  family.  It  is  pre-eminently  a  Scriptural  book.  It  is 
designed  for  the  promotion  of  practical  Christianity — the  in- 
crease of  true  religion  in  the  heart,  and  the  manifestation  of  a 
real  righteousness  in  life.  It  is  a  most  safe  and  profitable  vade 
inecum  for  the  Chi-istian,  and  we  wish  every  member  of  the 
Church  might  be  supplied  with  a  copy.  This  is  the  kind  of 
reading  which  the  Christians  of  this  age  need.  We  want  less 
of  religious  fictions,  and  more  of  Scriptural  instruction." 

[The  Christian  Witness. 

(3) 


VALUABLE   PUBLICATIONS    OF 


"Daily  Steps  towards  Heaven  is  an  elegant  manual  of 
practical  thoughts  on  the  Gospel  history,  and  the  Life  and 
Teaching  of  om*  Saviour,  arranged  for  every  day  in  the  year, 
according  to  the  seasons  of  the  Church.  It  presents  a  series  of 
rehgious  exercises  intimately  connected  with  the  very  words 
and  actions  of  our  Lord,  and  affording  important  aids  to  devout 
reflection  and  meditation." 

[The  Protestant  Churchman. 


"  We  have  seen  nothing  which  appears  so  admirable  ;  and  the 
fact  that  it  has  already  reached  a  third  edition  in  England  is  a 
strong  indorsement.  We  ask  attention  to  it  with  those  who 
would  commune  with  their  own  heai'ts,  and  with  the  Father  of 
their  spirits." 

[The  Church  Review. 


"  This  is  a  very  admirable  volume,  and  one  calculated  to  be 
peculiarly  acceptable  to  the  devout  Christian.  In  depth  and 
spirituahty  of  tone,  in  fervor  of  devotion,  in  soundness  and 
clearness  of  doctrine,  in  vigor  of  thought  and  expression,  and  in 
a  most  happy  and  harmonious  presentation  of  truth,  '  according 
to  the  proportion  of  faith,'  it  is  unsurpassed  if  equalled  by  any 
work  of  the  present  day,  and  reminds  one  veiy  forcibly  of  the 
times  of  our  Andi-ewes  and  Kens  and  Wilsons  and  such  like 
worthies.  The  year  of  the  Church  is  followed  in  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  volume,  and  day  by  day,  and  step  by  step,  through 
every  season  the  faithful  worshipper  is  helped  onward  to  med- 
itation on  God's  goodness  and  mercy,  the  Saviour's  sacrifice, 
merits  and  intercessions,  and  the  Holy  Spirit's  manifold  gifts 
and  graces.  We  cannot  wish  our  readers  to  be  more  profitably 
occupied  than  in  the  daily  use  of  these  '  Steps  towards  Heaven^ 
for  God's  Holy  Word  is  the  constant  theme  of  meditation  and 
of  holy  resolves,  and  the  wonders  of  redeeming  grace  are  the 
sum  and  substance  of  each  day's  lessons  and  incitements  and 
hopes.  *  *  *  The  '  Characters  and  Titles  of  Christ,'  the 
tables  suggesting  'Thoughts  for  Special  Occasions,'  and  the 
excellent  •  Harmony  of  the  Gospels,'  are  very  valuable  append- 
ages to  the  book,  and  will  commend  it  the  more  to  the  devout 
worshipper." 

[The  CJiurchman. 

(4) 


VALUABLE    PUBLICATIONS    OF     "  THE    UNION. 


C|«  Saa'aineiit  of  llfSj^aitsiMliti] 


"  This  is  a  most  valuable  and  important  pamphlet.  In  the 
space  of  65  pages,  it  comprises  the  pith  and  substance  of  the 
whole  Baptismal  controyersy,  brought,  by  the  use  of  plain  and 
perspicuous  language,  within  the  comprehension  of  every  one. 
"We  know  no  work,  the  chculation  of  which  we  should  more 
iinresei-vedly  recommend.  We  need  say  no  more,  except  that 
it  is  remarkably  free  from  those  expressions  which  sometimes 
startle  persons  who  discover  in  them  some  extreme  of  doctrine 
which  the  wiiter,  perhaps,  never  meant  to  teach." 

[The  Church  Times. 


"  "We  ai*e  happy  to  announce  this  fii'st  and  beautiful  American 
edition  of  a  Tract  which  in  England  has  rapidly  passed  through 
six  or  seven.  In  both  countries,  om*  wisest  and  soundest  Divines 
have  pronounced  it  decidedly  the  best  treatise  on  the  subject 
that  has  appeared  for  many  years." 

[Banner  of  the  Cross. 


"An  EngHsh  pamphlet,  republished  by  IMi*.  Dana,  of  New 
York,  which,  within  a  veiy  moderate  compass,  includes  one  of 
the  ablest,  most  practical  and  sound  views  of  the  Baptismal 
question  which  has  faUen  under  om-  observation." 

[The  True  Catholic. 
(5) 


VALUABLE    PUBLICATIONS    OF 


dtn  ^qxUm'b  Crial 

BY   COUSIN    ALICE. 


"  We  leara,  from  the  '  Short  Letter  of  Introduction,'  that  the 
full  name  of  '  Cousin  Alice'  is  Alice  B.  N'eal.  It  is  one  which 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten,  for  we  hope  that  the  beautiful  tale 
which  she  has  produced  may  be  only  the  first  of  a  long  series. 
We  can  assure  those  who  are  interested  in  the  welfare  of  chil- 
dren, and  looking  round  for  '  Christmas  presents,'  that  they  will 
not  readily  find  one  which  a  Christian  friend  or  parent  ought  to 
prefer  to '  Helen  Morton's  Trial.' " 

[The  True  Catholic. 


•'  It  is  a  tale  of  exquisite  sentiment  and  pathos,  replete  with 
sound  religious  instruction,  and  written  in  a  true  Church  spirit. 
The  authoress  is  Mrs.  Joseph  C.  JSTeal,  and  we  trust  that  this  is 
but  the  beginning  of  goodly  things  from  her  pen  for  the  little 
ones  of  Chiist's  flock.  Such  works  wUl  always  be  most  wel- 
come," 

[The  Churchman. 


"We  have  received  from  the  Depository  of  the  General 
Protestant  Episcopal  Sunday  School  Union,  two  beautiful  vol- 
umes with  the  following  titles: — Helen  Morton's  Trial,  The 
Revellers,  The  Midnight  Sea,  and  the  Wanderer.  The  first  is  a 
sweet,  interesting  story,  full  of  wisdom  for  the  young ;  and  the 
second  contains  three  allegories,  which  possess  a  charm  and  sim- 
plicity not  very  often  or  easily  attained  in  that  difficult  class  of 
composition.  The  handsome  binding,  gilt  edges,  and  nice  plates 
of  these  little  works,  make  the  setting  quite  worthy  of  such 
gems  of  juvenile  narratives." 

[The  Protestant  Churchman. 

(6) 


VALUABLE    PUBLICATIONS    OF     "THE    UNION. 


A  SEQUEL  TO  "HELEN  MORTON'S  TRIAL." 

BY    COUSIN    ALICE. 


"  This  little  volume  is  introduced  by  an  '  Introduction'  from 
the  pen  of  the  Bishop  of  Rhode  Island,  giving  just  and  high 
commendation  of  the  work ;  in  every  word  of  which  we  heartily 
concur.  It  is  a  book  which  we  desire  to  see  widely  circulated, 
for  it  is  full  of  soimd  principles,  and  written  with  much  skill,  so 
as  to  be  at  once  in  a  veiy  high  degree  pleasing  to  those  for 
whom  it  is  designed."  [The  Tribe  Catholic. 

"  This  work,  which  is  warmly  recommended  by  Bishop  Hen- 
shaw,  is  both  written  and  pubhshed  with  great  beauty.  It  is  a 
gem  of  a  book."  [The  Church  Review. 

"  It  is  exquisitely  printed,  embellished  and  bound." 

[Philadelphia  Paper. 

*'  Watch  and  Pray  contains  some  exquisite  passages,  full  of 
feeling  and  description,  and  yet  easy  to  be  understood,  even  by 
a  child,  and  to  animate  it  to  the  pursuit  of  better  things  to 
come."  [Christian  Intelligencer. 

"  This  book  is  written  in  the  very  happiest  manner  of  the 
author,  and  is  full  of  tenderness,  pathos  and  beauty." 

[SoutheiTi  Literary  Gazette. 

"  Cousin  Alice  is  the  pseudonym  of  Mrs.  Alice  B.  Neal,  who 
has  evinced  a  rare  faculty  for  wi-iting  tales  adapted  to  the  ca- 
pacities of  childi'en.  In  this  department  of  literature,  the  most 
difficult,  perhaps,  that  .has  been  attempted,  she  promises  to  rival 
the  Edgeworths,  the  Sherwoods,  and  the  Howitts,  The  present 
tale  is  strictly  religious  in  its  tendency,  and  yet  we  shall  be 
much  mistaken  if  the  'children  of  the  Church'  alone  find  it 
interesting.''  [Hartford  Times. 

(1) 


VALUABLE    PUBLICATIONS    OF 


LOOKING   FOR   THE   CHURCH. 

BY  ONE  OF  THREE  HUNDRED. 


"  This  is  a  very  curious  and  interesting  work.  It  shows  the 
■workings  of  an  earnest  and  pious  mind,  discovering  by  degrees 
the  effects,  not  so  much  of  Presbyterianism,  as  of  that  system  of 
popular  religion,  miscalled  Evangelical  and  Spiritual,  which  is 
eating  out  the  heart,  as  well  of  Presbyterianism  as  of  all  other 
sects  in  tlie  land ;  a  religion,  the  '  downward  tendencies'  of  which 
conduct  directly  to  infidehty,  through  the  gradations  of  various 
heresies."  [True  Catholic. 


"  It  is  %vi'itten  in  a  clear  and  \'igorous  style,  and  affords  evi- 
dence that  its  author  is  a  man  of  no  ordinary  ability.  It  gives 
the  author's  experience,  as  its  title  implies,  while  looking  for 
something,  which,  like  hundreds  of  others,  he  was  conscious  that 
he  did  not  have.  There  may  be,  on  the  part  of  the  wi'iter,  a 
tendency  which  has  become  common,  and  may  be  considered, 
perhaps,  natural,  to  go  to  the  opposite  extreme,  after  having 
been  so  long  locked  up  in  the  iron  arms  of  Calvinism.  Most  of 
those  who  enter  the  Church  fi-om  other  denominations,  seem  to 
come  with  a  reacting  impulse,  which  sends  them  to  the  highest 
point  of  what  may  be  termed  sound  Church  views.  It  is  not, 
however,  invariably  so. 

"  The  book  before  us  is  valuable,  as  affording  an  insight  into 
the  workings  of  the  Presbyterian  system.  It  will,  we  have  no 
doubt,  prove  interesting  to  all,  and  profitable  to  many,  who  will 
read  it."  \_Christian  Witness. 


"  The  sheets  of  this  long-expected  work  are  now  before  us, 
complete ;  and  we  ai-e  happy  to  assure  our  readers  that,  at  last, 
it  will  be  issued  from  the  Press  of  the  Sunday  School  Union  by 
the  10th  inst.  The  extraordinary  delay  which  has  occurred  in 
its  appearance,  has  been  owing  to  the  long  illness,  and  at  length 
the  death  of  its  fei-vid  and  devoted  author  ;  of  whom  a  brief  and 
appropriate  memorial,  by  a  friendly  hand,  is  prefixed  to  the 
foithcoming  volume.    Of  the  value  of  the  work  itself  we  need 

(8) 


VALUABLE    PUBLICATIONS    OF     "THE    UNION. 


not  speak  at  large.  The  First  Part,  published  some  two  or 
three  years  ago,  made  its  mark ;  and  the  Second  Part,  -while  it 
adds  more  than  double  to  the  fullness  and  richness  of  the  whole, 
abates  nothing  from  the  interest  or  force  of  argument.  Nor  is 
there  any  flagging  in  that  rapid,  earnest,  glowing  style  with 
which  the  author  pours  out  the  whole  river  of  his  thoughts, 
feelings,  self-conflicts,  convictions,  and  final  triumphs ;  nor  any 
flinching  in  carrying  out  to  the  full  those  clear  and  irrefragable 
conclusions,  from  which  no  serious,  intelUgent,  and  unbiased 
mind  can  escape.  Page  after  page  rolls  freely  on,  as  if  the 
author  were  himself  talking  to  the  reader ;  as  if  his  very  voice 
could  be  heard,  rising  and  falling  with  the  interwoven  tissue  of 
argument,  illustration,  warning,  entreaty,  and  tender  considera- 
tion for  ignorance  and  prejudices.  At  one  time,  he  marches 
straight  at  the  adversary,  meets  him  face  to  face,  gives  him 
choice  of  his  own  weapons,  and  of  time,  place  and  circumstance : 
then  fights  him  a  pitched  battle,  unmasking  all  his  specious 
defences,  striking  home  at  once,  aud  following  up  with  blow  on 
blow  redoubled,  until  the  enemy  is  not  only  defeated  but  anni- 
hilated. At  another,  he  gently  binds  him  about  with  cords  that 
seem  slender  and  weak  at  the  first,  but  one  after  another  they 
follow,  growing  thicker  and  more  numerous,  they  wind  around 
and  around,  until  the  opponent  finds  himself  at  length,  and 
almost  imperceptibly,  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  compelled  to 
surrender  at  discretion.  Not  in  vain  has  the  gifted  author  suf- 
fered for  years  in  the  struggle,  through  which  he  has  returned 
unto  the  Chui-ch  from  which  his  ancestors,  in  an  evil  day,  went 
out.  If  his  own  heart  had  not  been  so  deeply  wrung,  he  would 
never  have  known  how  to  reach  so  surely  the  hearts  of  those 
who,  though  now  what  he  was  once,  are  yet  alarmed  by  the 
downward  tendency  of  every  thing  around  them,  and  are  begin- 
ning to  search  for  '  a  more  excellent  way.'  The  learned  and 
accurate  theologian  might  prefer  a  treatise  more  condensed  and 
more  technical ;  but  for  the  many,  we  are  satisfied  that  this  is 
by  far  the  best  work  on  the  controversy  with  Presbyterians 
(including  questions  fundamental  to  all  Protestant  sects)  that 
has  ever  yet  been  written.  It  will  be  read  by  thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands,  to  whom  other  books  on  the  same  subject 
would  seem  too  dry  to  be  either  i-ead  or  inwardly  digested. 
The  First  Part,  incomplete  as  it  was,  has  brought  numbers  into 
the  Church.  Now  that  the  whole  is  out,  we  shall  find  our 
harvest  but  begun.  The  work,  as  a  populai*  argument  for  the 
Church,  cannot  be  fairly  answered  ;  nor  do  we  believe  that  an 
aoswer  will  be  attempted."  [The  Church  Journal. 

(9) 


